Original hand written postcard with date stamp by Fernand Martin
“Le Courrier de la Presse” was founded in 1889.
In competition with Argus de la Presse, the employees of “Le Courrier de la Presse” searched all periodicals as reviews and newspapers and provided subscribers with press clippings that mentioned the name and/or the interests of the specific customer.
It was a significant saving of time for the customers who didn’t have the time to search everything.
Martin was also a customer and naturally looking for articles about toys
But with the clippings service it could go wrong.
Martin wrote a complaint to that company because he missed articles.
LE COURRIER DE LA PRESSE
BUREAU de COUPURES de JOURNAUX
Founded in 1889 with Mr. Gallois as owner
The free translation is:
An error has crept into the articles that you have sent.
I have number 1401 and 1402 and furthermore the numbers 1416 and 1417.
But I have not received the 13 intervening numbers.
So please correct this on the following number that must be given 1405 *see note*
I am counting on you to do justice to my complaint.
Sincerely F. Martin.
Note: The number is hard to read, but on a site about old French manuscripts it is clearer that the number must be 1405. Martin already had number 1401 and 1402 and, according to my reasoning, he converted the other two numbers 1416 and 1417 to 1403 and 1404, so that is followed by 1405 etc.
Indeed, there are 13 intermediate numbers and not the correction of “14” later made by the receiver with a blue marker
