FRENCH REVOLUTION – 1794 BULLETIN DES LOIS – NATIONAL CONVENTION LAWS – ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT PRINTING

FRENCH REVOLUTION – 1794 BULLETIN DES LOIS – NATIONAL CONVENTION LAWS – ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT PRINTING

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

$75.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1288-07

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

Offered here is an attractive French Revolutionary government printing from 1794, issued as Bulletin des Lois de la République Française, No. 58, containing a series of laws enacted by the National Convention during the latter portion of the Reign of Terror. The bulletin is dated principally to Fructidor, Year II of the French Republic, corresponding to August–September 1794, only weeks after the fall and execution of Maximilien Robespierre on 10 Thermidor (July 28, 1794). This is an especially attractive example of the official Bulletin des Lois because of the boldly engraved Revolutionary devices appearing on its first and final pages.

The first page is headed: “BULLETIN DES LOIS DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. (N°. 58.)”

Above the title is a striking engraved Republican device incorporating several important symbols of the Revolution.  At center appears a seated female personification of the French Republic, surrounded by the legend “RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE.” She is flanked by two triangular devices. One incorporates a level, while the other contains the celebrated Eye of Providence / all-seeing eye, imagery closely associated with Revolutionary concepts of reason, equality, vigilance, and republican government.

The banner beneath reads essentially “Bulletin des Lois de la République”. The bulletin contains several separate laws of the National Convention, numbered 311 through 317, providing a fascinating cross-section of the administrative business of Revolutionary France.

No. 311 – Marriage and Annexation Certificates - A law dated 26 Fructidor, Year II, establishing a deadline by which women who had received brevets d’annexe were required to produce their marriage certificates in order to retain the benefits associated with those documents.

No. 312 – Government Archives - A law providing for the establishment of new archival repositories in administrative districts whose archives had been pillaged by enemies of the Republic. The National Convention orders the creation of new archives and directs its committee on decrees and official records to supervise their establishment.

No. 313 – Government Financial Agencies - A law concerning the reorganization of governmental financial agencies.

No. 314 – National Domains - A law relating to the sale of national properties (domaines nationaux), one of the great economic and social transformations of the Revolution. Such properties included lands confiscated by the Revolutionary government and subsequently sold.

No. 315 – National Forests - A law concerning national forests and the cutting of timber. The decree regulates timber cutting in the forests belonging to the Republic and discusses the administration and preservation of woodland resources.

No. 316 – Agriculture - A law directing measures concerning agriculture and the arts, another example of the National Convention attempting to reorganize the economic administration of the Republic.

No. 317 – Suppression of Administrative Offices - A decree dated 28 Fructidor, Year II, concerning the execution of legislation suppressing certain administrative positions.

Taken together, the seven laws provide an unusually interesting snapshot of the everyday machinery of Revolutionary government—covering marriage, archives, finance, confiscated national property, forests, agriculture, and administrative reform.

This bulletin was printed during a critical transitional moment in the French Revolution. The legislation dates from late Year II, immediately following the Thermidorian Reaction and overthrow of Robespierre. The Terror had reached its climax only weeks earlier, and the National Convention was beginning the complicated process of dismantling portions of the political system that had governed France during the preceding months.

The final page is particularly attractive. Beneath the concluding law appears another engraved Republican device consisting of an oval enclosing a classical figure and the initials: “R. F.” – République Française. Beside this are large printed facsimile signatures associated with the official promulgation of the laws. These are facsimile signatures rather than individually hand-signed autographs, but they add considerable visual appeal and are part of the original Revolutionary printing.

The final imprint reads:

“DE L’IMPRIMERIE NATIONALE DES LOIS.” This identifies the piece as an official government production. Dimensions are 5” x 7.8”, folded vertically at center, and encompasses five printed pages of text.  The center is unbound, leaving the pages loose.  Pages show light age toning and foxing, but paper condition is quite good overall.  Slight deckling is noted at the upper right edge of the first and second pages.

A rare and highly displayable piece of the French Revolution.   [cm][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About FRENCH REVOLUTION – 1794 BULLETIN DES LOIS – NATIONAL CONVENTION LAWS – ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT PRINTING

should be empty