Born in Colmar in 1873, Waltz was the author of some dozen books mainly on aspects of Alsace, his last work L’Art Heraldique en Alsace was never completed in his lifetime only two parts of three being published by his death in 1951. One of his children’s books Prof. Knatschke was translated into English. During the Great War he was imprisoned by the Germans, suspected of spying for the Allies.
The present work is quite charming, which is surprising as it shows Alsace in the immediate aftermath of the War. However, although most images show the presence of the Army, for example the plate of the market-place at Thann, in which French troops are accompanying a group of German prisoners, the artist concentrates on the characteristic scenery and architecture of the region and the mood is overall one of gentle celebration. The style calls to mind early bande desinée and the colour is delightful. Altogether an extremely pleasing book, with perhaps only the weakest of excuses for its presence in a military catalogue.
