L’armée française – Défilé de la Victoire – Photograph Album – “Victory Parade of the French Army.” Published by S.T.L. Lavelle, Paris [1944].
Twelve photographs documenting the victory parade of the French Army following the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. Dedicated and signed by Resistance fighter Daniel Cordier (1920–2020): “À René pour notre victoire – Daniel Cordier” (“To René, for our victory – Daniel Cordier”).
Photographs include: French soldiers marching through the Arc de Triomphe, the military band, the Moroccan delegation, the Marine flag adorned with the Cross of Lorraine by General de Gaulle, the parade at Place de la Concorde in front of General de Gaulle and the Sultan of Morocco, the march of the Legionnaires, General Leclerc leading his renowned division, and others. All photographs are captioned in print on the reverse.
Daniel Cordier (1920–2020) – French Resistance fighter, historian, and art dealer. As a member of Camelots du Roi, he fought for Free France. In June 1940, while staying with his family in Basque Country, Cordier heard Marshal Philippe Pétain announce on the radio France’s surrender to Germany and the signing of the armistice. In anger, he distributed a pamphlet denouncing Pétain. From 1942 to 1943, he served as secretary to Jean Moulin. He was one of the founders of the Conseil National de la Résistance (National Council of the Resistance), established on 27 May 1943. In 1944, he was awarded the title Companion of the Liberation (Compagnon de la Libération), a distinction bestowed by General de Gaulle to honor individuals or communities who distinguished themselves in the effort to liberate France and its empire. After the war, he became a renowned historian and art collector.
See also item 130.
Album and photographs: 10×8 cm. Very good condition.
