WWII ALS from Belgian woman in Liege to the cure of St. Anthony's Church, Washington DC.
1941. ALS from Louise de Kerckhove de Varent to l'Abbe Coady, reverend of St. Anthony's Church, 1030 Lawrence St., Northeast, Washington DC. She writes on 15 Oct. 1941, from 41 Rue des Augustins, Liege, Belgium, a newsy letter of family, school and Catholicism. Written after over 18 months of German occupation, it is remarkably devoid of what is happening in their lives, or perhaps, that is what is painted out in a 1 1/2" black swathe across the lower front letter. There is some reference on the 2nd page to the praying to the Virgin Mary they do every day, "pour obtenir la Paix dans la Justice et la Verite - mais jusque maintenant, il n'y a rien de nouveau, helas!!" (to obtain Peace in Justice and Truth - but up to now, there is nothing new, unfortunately!) The family of Kerckhove-Varent was a noble family of Belgium. In the mid-1800s, the vicomte was a lawyer and diplomat to both Sweden and Turkey, and had a keen interest in archaeology. The letter is written on paper with a rather interesting letterhead - printed in red is a seated ascetic, incense burning to his right, and some Chinese characters. The envelope bears Chinese characters that translate as "love, person, as, already", essentially "love others as you love yourself." The German censor marks are 'Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Geoffnet' tape and stamp of the Third Reich. 2pp on 1 pale green sheet, 8 1/2 x 11", folded twice, slt. chip. The envelope with stamps removed, with German censor's stamp in red and black on a strip of tape with the text "Geoffnet." Envelope a little toned o/w very good. Item #22119
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