Early Modern Europe
various, ca. 1629-1831
Interesting French & Flemish Archive, Ca. 1629-1831, 4 Pcs Including One Mentioning Louis XIV's Illegitimate Son!
Archive

An interesting archive of French manuscript documents and a bilingual French and Flemish account book, ca. 1629-1831. Individual condition issues will be discussed below. Portions of the archive have been translated, but the majority has not, so the lot is sure to reveal more discoveries when further researched! The largest piece measures 8" x 10.625."

The lot is comprised of, in chronological order:

1. A 3pp manuscript document signed in French with abundant financial content. November 28, 1629. Probably Poitiers, France. Secretarially inscribed on bifold vellum, and bearing a hand-stamped revenue stamp at the top of the first page. Expected wear including toning, edge darkening, and scattered minor stains. 7.5" x 10.125." Amounts discussed appear in French livres, sols (sous), and deniers.

2. A 29pp manuscript document in French signed by three unidentified individuals at the conclusion. June 28, 1719. N.p. Secretarially inscribed on string-bound bifold vellum, with hand-stamped revenue stamps scattered throughout the beginning of the document. The last page is annotated with docket notations. Expected wear including toning, isolated yellowing, edge darkening, and grubbiness. One of the inner pages is stuck to another. Else very good. 8" x 10.625."

The document relates to Louis Alexandre, Count of Toulouse (1678-1737), who was the illegitimate son of King Louis XIV and his mistress, the Marquise de Montespan. The beginning of the document lists Louis Alexandre's impressive title as: "Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, Count of Toulouse, Admiral of France and the Guards [?], General Admiralty of France and with a seat at the Marble Table of the Palace at Paris?" The "Table au Marbre" referred to a 3-person judicial body who adjudicated matters relating to waterways, forests, and fishing rights during the Ancien R?gime. The document appears to be a type of passport whereby Louis Alexandre requested permission for the following individuals to be able to travel within Paris. The passport was for family members of a deceased royal secretary, George Guymons, who are mentioned by name as: Paul Jacques Guymons; Catherine Guymons, his wife; Jean Antoine Guymons; Magdeleine Nicolle, Celine, Barthelemy, and Homard (?) Guymons, the children and heirs of Georges Guymons.

3. A 2pp manuscript document in French signed by the two relevant parties, Charlotte-Anne de Vieils-Maisons and Guillaume Courtin, on either side. On the recto is a 1p manuscript document dated July 16, 1739, signed by Vieils-Maisons as "De Vieilmaison" at lower left. Signed at the Ch?teau de Villiers, in Villiers-sur-Marne, located in the eastern suburbs of Paris. On the verso is a 1p manuscript document dated October 30, 1757, signed by Courtin as "le shev. De Villiers" at center. Signed at the Ch?teau de Villiers. Bearing two hand-stamped revenue stamps along the top recto. Red wax seal remnants can be found at lower right recto. Minor toning and curling. 9.25" x 6.75."

The document recto declares that "We, Charlotte Anne De Vieilmaison, Countess of Villiers sur Marne, widow of ? Charles Courtin, Knight Lord Count de Villiers, lady of the aforementioned Villiers, Domptin, Lavget, Vieux Moulin, Despendaneer, and other places" have decided to appoint Nicolas Notte, previously a royal notary at the Ch?telet of Paris, and with a royal seat at the Ch?teau Thierry, to the "Office of Bailiff, Guard of the Seals of Our Bailiwick" in recognition of his "good life, Morals, Capacity of Judicature, and Religion." The document verso confirms the soundness of Charlotte-Anne's appointment nearly twenty years earlier.

4. A manuscript account book in Flemish and French, numbering approximately 87pp. With butter yellow leather binding, and red-speckled text block. The entries in the ledger are dated from 1741-1831, with the majority being from the period 1740s-1750s. The most recent entries are all signed by one "J.C. Loridan." The bilingual nature of the ledger strongly suggests that it is from Belgium. Expected wear including toning, edge darkening, and scattered ink bleed-through. 5.125" x 8.25" x 1.125."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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largest item: 8" x 10.625"