3-039-197 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The French Siege of Paris: selling fragments of shells in the Avenue des Champs Elysées, 1871. 'The townspeople of Paris nevertheless venture into the Champs Elysées, attracted by curiosity, near enough to hear the noise and see the smoke of the exploding shells, fragments of which are constantly picked up and offered for sale, as relics or tokens in remembrance of these strange events...In our Special Artist [W. Simpson]'s sketch of a scene in the main avenue of the Champs Elysées on May morning, which was taken just at the rear of the Porte Maillot battery, it is curious to observe the people walking about - cautiously, indeed, or even timidly, but still going to and fro - exposed to the shot and shells that fall every minute upon the ground there. "In looking along, one can frequently see men crossing the deserted Avenue, even between the batteries of Maillot and Pont de Neuilly. These figures glide along with a quick, stealthy step, turning their heads rapidly from side to side to watch what is coming. They pass, bringing food or messages, perhaps medicine, to supply the wants of such a condition of things as is seldom witnessed in any city of Europe'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.