Superb Belle Époque autograph postcard from the celebrated Breton poet‑chansonnier Théodore Botrel (1868–1925), author of La Paimpolaise and later France’s WWI “Chansonnier des Armées”, written to fellow chansonnier, poet, draftsman and painter Ernest Chebroux (1840–1910) — president of the Lice Chansonnière, member of the Caveau, Pot‑au‑Feu, honorary president of the Caveau Lyonnais, and president of the 1900 Congress of Song. A rare and culturally rich exchange between two major figures of the Paris chanson world.

The postcard shows “Les Mées”, Arpajon (Seine‑et‑Oise), and carries Botrel’s full autograph message, written in his characteristic hand. Addressed to Chebroux at 16 rue Hérold, Paris (2ᵉ arrondissement) — a micro‑district of literary clubs, chanson societies, printers and ateliers. This is precisely the milieu in which Chebroux lived and worked, making the address itself part of the item’s provenance.

Full transcription (French): « Cher maître et ami ; vous avez mal compris la phrase de Lina : Elle est chez sa mère jusqu’au 6 ; je vais la rejoindre après‑demain ; le 7 nous partons à Nancy ; le 9 nous rentrons à Paris… et le seul Mercredi libre sera le Mercredi 11. D’ici le 11 il nous sera impossible de vous voir, comme de juste. Que décidez‑vous ? Écrivez‑moi ici : mon courrier suit. Bons baisers pour vous deux de votre ami fidèle et dévoué. Botrel »

English translation: “My dear master and friend; you misunderstood Lina’s sentence: she is at her mother’s until the 6th; I am going to join her the day after tomorrow; on the 7th we leave for Nancy; on the 9th we return to Paris… and the only free Wednesday will be Wednesday the 11th. Between now and the 11th it will be impossible for us to see you, naturally. What do you decide? Write to me here: my mail is forwarded. Fond kisses for both of you from your faithful and devoted friend, Botrel.”

c.1900–1910, during Botrel’s heavy touring years and Chebroux’s final decade of activity. The itinerary (Arpajon → Nancy → Paris) fits Botrel’s known movements and the period of his marriage to Hélène Lugton (“Léna”), mentioned here.

This is a chansonnier‑to‑chansonnier communication — not fan mail, but internal professional correspondence between two documented Belle Époque cultural figures. Botrel’s warm “Cher maître et ami” acknowledges Chebroux’s seniority in the chanson societies. Items linking these two men are scarce and highly desirable for collectors of cabaret, chanson, and Paris literary‑musical history.

A fine and uncommon Belle Époque autograph postcard with excellent cultural context.

Provenance: 

One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil. 

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 – 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004. 

Jean-Baptiste-Théodore-Marie Botrel (Sep 1868 – Jul 1925) was a French singer-songwriter, poet and playwright. He is best known for his popular songs about his native Brittany, of which the most famous is La Paimpolaise. During World War I he became France’s official “Bard of the Armies”.

Ernest Chebroux, (Sep 1840 – Dec 1910) is a French poet, songwriter, composer, goguettier, draftsman and painter. In Paris, he was a member and president of the Lice Chansonnière singing society, a member of the fourth Caveau society, and of the Pot-au-Feu singing society. In the provinces, he was an honorary member of the Temple de la Chanson in Saint-Étienne and honorary president of the fourth Caveau Lyonnais (founded in 1888). In 1900, he presided over the Congress of Song in Paris. Enjoying a certain notoriety during his lifetime, his name, his life, his work are today forgotten by the general public.