I live in Turin and what puzzles me is that the use of French was absolutely uncommon in XIX century. Nobody would say Place Château (which besides is awkward in French too, the expected form being Place du Château) instead of Piazza Castello, or rue Charles-Albert for via Carlo Alberto.
Thank you for your comment, it adds another interesting detail to Auguste Meylan’s story. Since he was Swiss, he may well have been writing in French rather than Italian, which could explain the French rendering of Piazza Castello.
I also wondered about the abbreviation “Aug.te” for his first name. My impression is that the inscription on the back may have been a stamp, where space was limited and some words had to be abbreviated. That is only my own hypothesis, of course, but it might explain both features.
I live in Turin and what puzzles me is that the use of French was absolutely uncommon in XIX century. Nobody would say Place Château (which besides is awkward in French too, the expected form being Place du Château) instead of Piazza Castello, or rue Charles-Albert for via Carlo Alberto.
Thank you for your comment, it adds another interesting detail to Auguste Meylan’s story. Since he was Swiss, he may well have been writing in French rather than Italian, which could explain the French rendering of Piazza Castello.
I also wondered about the abbreviation “Aug.te” for his first name. My impression is that the inscription on the back may have been a stamp, where space was limited and some words had to be abbreviated. That is only my own hypothesis, of course, but it might explain both features.
Interesting and fascinating read.