Le Petit Parisien: L'Affaire Dreyfus, Le Commandant Esterhazy
Print (Newspaper Supplement), Periodical Cover • Published by Le Petit Parisien (Supplement littéraire illustré); anonymous staff illustrator
Style & Movement
French Belle Époque Illustration / Political Graphic Journalism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography on newsprint paper
Creation Period
January 23, 1898
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 45 x 30 cm (standard tabloid size), presented in a vertical portrait format with modern matting and framing.
Subject Description
A portrait of Major Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy, the central figure and actual spy in the Dreyfus Affair. He is depicted in full military dress with a kepi hat marked '74', a heavy mustache, and decorative epaulettes. The headline clearly contextualizes the image within the 'L'Affaire Dreyfus' controversy.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible signs of aging consistent with wood-pulp paper from the late 19th century.
Estimated Market Value
USD $150 - $300
Auction Estimate
USD $100 - $250
Provenance History
Mass-produced newspaper supplement for public distribution; likely acquired via a print dealer or ephemera collector. No visible specific collection stamps or labels outside of the printed masthead.
Art Historical Significance
A significant artifact of maritime and political history. It documents the media's role in the Dreyfus Affair, one of the most consequential political scandals in modern French history involving antisemitism and miscarriage of justice.
Notable Features
Includes the original masthead 'Le Petit Parisien' and the specific date. The bold graphic style is typical of French sensationalist journalism of the late 1890s.
Condition Issues
Visible browning/toning of the paper (acidification), horizontal fold lines characteristic of newspapers, several small foxing spots, and minor creasing at the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of acid-free, archival matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further yellowing and brittle degradation. Keep out of direct sunlight and high humidity environments.