Alsatians of the French Colony of Basel. Au Maréchal Joffre Vainqueur de la Marne. Basel, 12th March 1917. Large diploma entirely handwritten in red and black ink on parchment, awarded to Marshal Joffre, congratulating him on his new dignity, signed in blue ink by Geiger, President of the Central Committee of the French Colony of Basel, J. Brodbeck, President of the Amicale française, A. Ritter, President of the Société française de Bienfaisance de Bâle, Kapfer, President of the Société Mutuelle française, C. H. Bulffer, President of the Société de l’Ecole française de Bâle and A. Estermann, President of the Société française des Tambours et Clairons, with the blue stamp of the French Consulate in Basel, countersigned by Consul General Louis Farges (1858-1941), future Member of Parliament, and by Vice-Consul Chancellor Michel Trilles.
In an imposing case in the shape of a Marshal’s baton (approx. 48 x 10 cm) in red Russian leather decorated with eight raised bands of long-grained green morocco, all richly decorated with small tools, the extremities adorned with a gilt star, the central part adorned with a dedication in gilt metal letters ‘Au Maréchal Joffre la Colonie française de Bâle ’, inside in black and red, signed ‘Kaufmann le Maroquinier rue franche 97 A Bâle’.
Here is the magnificent tribute, with its strong patriotic accent, paid to the victor of the Marne by his fellow Alsatians living in Basel:
« Monsieur le Maréchal
La Colonie française de Bâle a l’honneur de vous offrir ses vives et patriotiques félicitations à l’occasion de votre élévation à la dignité de Maréchal de France.
Consciente que c’est à votre haute science militaire, à votre patriotisme éclairé, à votre inlassable énergie, que l’invasion a pu être maitrisée sur la Marne, elle vous exprime son admiration et sa reconnaissance.
En vous décernant le bâton de Maréchal, la plus haute dignité militaire qu’il pût vous décerner, le Gouvernement de la République a comblé le vœu de tous les Français.
Les nombreux Alsaciens de la Colonie française de Bâle et leurs malheureux compatriotes encore sous le joug allemand, associeront, dans un sentiment de fierté et de reconnaissante admiration votre Nom au souvenir de leurs glorieux compatriotes, les Maréchaux Lefebvre et Kellermann.
Au jour de la Rédemption, l’Alsace redevenue Française n’oubliera jamais ce qu’elle vous doit ! Vive la France ! ».
[We translate: “Mister Marshal. The French Colony of Basel has the honour of offering you its warm and patriotic congratulations on the occasion of your elevation to the dignity of Marshal of France. Conscious that it is to your high military science, your enlightened patriotism and your tireless energy that the invasion of the Marne was brought under control, it expresses its admiration and gratitude. By awarding you the Marshal’s baton, the highest military dignity it could bestow on you, the Government of the Republic has fulfilled the wish of all French people. The many Alsatians in the French colony of Basle and their unfortunate compatriots still under the German yoke will associate your name, with a feeling of pride and grateful admiration, with the memory of their glorious compatriots, Marshals Lefebvre and Kellermann. On the day of redemption, Alsace, now French again, will never forget what it owes you! Long live France!”]
Missing a star at one end, missing gilding to the two bands at the base, some restorations. The document is in very good condition despite a few whitish few white spots on the parchment.
A precious testimony of the French militarist movement in Basel in 1917.
3 800 €