Unidentified photographer "Captain Desponty de St Avoye in the Hundred Guards of 1868-1870, in 3/4 profile with his bicorne", c. 1868-1870 Countertype on citrate paper (c. 1890). Handwritten annotations and collection notation on verso. 16 x 11 cm 10 x 13 cm B.E. Provenance: Former collection Maurice LEVERT An albumen paper print of Second Lieutenant LUUYT, wearing his kepi, on horseback, is attached. Born May 19, 1832 in Dammartin-sur-Tigeaux. He volunteered for the 1st Carabinieri Regiment in June 1849, was appointed non-commissioned officer in June 1851, then second lieutenant on 19 December 1854, when he joined the 7th Cuirassiers Regiment. Promoted to lieutenant on August 12, 1861, he is photographed in the cuirassier tunic, which shows his athletic silhouette, well within the standard of the cuirassiers who make up the heavy cavalry of the French army. On May 10, 1866, he was appointed Adjutant Major of the 4th African Hunters Regiment in March 1867. On August 24, 1868, he was made Knight of the Legion of Honour and Adjutant Major Captain of the Hundred Guards. Staying in Paris during the first weeks of the war, he was appointed to the 12th cuirassiers regiment on November 1, 1870. After the war, he joined the 2nd cuirassiers regiment. On September 30, 1877, he was squadron leader in the 10th cuirassiers regiment. He retired to this rank in 1892, shortly after being appointed officer of the Legion of Honour. He died in 1905. Source: military-photos.com