Letters written by Jean Fenton (later Lee, then Fox)
Letters written by Jean Fenton (later Lee, then Fox) while a student in Paris to her family. I've tried to put them in chronological order where possible, so scroll down for more recent letters.
She was among the first American students to come to France after World War II.
She was among the first American students to come to France after World War II.
Letter written by Jean Fenton (later Lee, then Fox) while a student in Paris to her parents and sister, who were living in New York (Dryden Hotel). This 9-page letter is very interesting - talks about post-war France, her request for certain food items she can't get in France, an electricity shortage because of a coal miner strike and more. The postmark says 1948. A handwritten note on the envelope says Sept. 4 but that may not be correct, as the letter mentions events occuring in mid and late September.
You can see the letter in two parts (pages 1-4 and 5-9) by clicking on the links below. It says "download" but should open the file in a new browser tab.
You can see the letter in two parts (pages 1-4 and 5-9) by clicking on the links below. It says "download" but should open the file in a new browser tab.
Letter from Jean Fenton (later Lee, then Fox) to her father, Alexander Fenton living at 51 East 42nd Street, New York, NY.
This envelope with the letter has a postmark of 1948 but can't read the month. Handwritten on the envelope says Nov 5) so this was written after her first few months as a studen in Paris. Interesting in this letter is the monetary accounts. - having her hair washed 8 times cost $2.50 - dinner FIVE times cost $20 The exchange rate in Nov. 1948 was roughly 400 francs to $1. In April 2018, it would cost about $488 to get 400 Euros (which replaced the French franc) She also complains about how much class and homework - amounting to 41 hours a week. See letter by clicking download link at right. Letter written by Jean Fenton (later Lee, then Fox) while a student in Paris to her parents whose address was 51 East 42nd Street, New York, NY at that time.
The postmark on the envelope says Feb 1949. This letter mentions her trip to Zermatt - one of the pictures, likely from that trip (unless she went more than once) is at right - Jean Fenton is at far left. Only 3 pages but there should be more - last page cuts off abruptly
Letter from Jean Fenton (later Lee, then Fox) to her parents, Lucy Ethel Comando Fenton and Alexander Fenton living at 51 East 42nd Street, New York, NY.
This envelope with the letter has a postmark of 1949 but can't read the month. She was on separate trips to Switzerland (Jan/Feb 1949) and Italy (April 1949) and was supposed to leave Paris for the U.S. in June/July 1949. So this trip to Amerstdam and Belgium happened sometime between Jan. to June 1949, wheh she wasn't traveling elsewhere.
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Letter written by Jean Fenton (later Lee, then Fox) while a student in Paris to her parents and sister, who were living at 51 East 42nd street, New York, NY
There are two postmarks on the envelope - one in Paris, AV D'Orleans dated 12 Mai [May] 1949 and the other from Grand Palais - Paris dated 12 Juin [June] 1949. So this letter took almost a month to leave Paris!! She writes about her April trip to Italy so the letter was written sometime in April/May 1949 This letter mentions she had appendicitis and had to see a doctor right before leaving. Her appendix was not removed at that time. The letter doesn't mention its removal while in Italy.
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