VIALA – Le Tambour Viala, French Patriotic Postcard – Bergeret et Cie, Nancy, c.1900

A striking French patriotic postcard depicting Viala, the legendary young drummer boy (tambour) of the French Revolutionary Wars. The card shows a child actor – identified as Armand Gaboriaud (alias Marcel Houjan) – in full military uniform, raising an axe above his head while straddling a rope, re-enacting the heroic act of cutting a bridge cable to prevent the enemy’s advance. Published by Edition Phototypie A. Bergeret et Cie, Nancy.

The reverse bears an undivided-back format and carries a patriotic verse by Armand Gaboriaud recounting Viala’s act: “En bien! J’y vais moi! C’est pour la Patrie!” The card shows age-related foxing and toning consistent with its age. An evocative piece of French nationalist memorabilia from the Belle Epoque period, highly collectible.