Search Results: The Document Store from Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1626. Ephemera. On offer is a document fragment that dates from early 17th century France. The earliest date in the document is 1626. The document consists of five very well-identified paragraphs. It may well be a contract or agreement as it does not bear the customary salutations or a complimentary close. The early 1600’s were a time of major turmoil within France. In 1600, France was essentially a Catholic country. However, there was a sizable minority of the population, known as Huguenots, who followed the religious teachings of John Calvin. Under Henri IV, they had been granted a number of protections and rights through the Edict of Nantes, signed in 1598. Henri’s successor, Louis XIII was far less tolerant of Protestants. Increasing tensions finally led to open rebellion. In three successive rebellions in the early 1600’s, the Huguenots rebelled. Massacres and atrocities were common and whole cities were burnt to the ground and their… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1668. Ephemera. On offer is an interesting civil law document dating from mid-17th century France. Drafted in 1668, context suggests that this is a marriage document. The names Elizabeth and Nicolau Villeganyan (sic) , a Captain in the French army, are written in the first few lines. There is also a reference to marriage later in the document as seen in this excerpt: ...Porter pour leur marriage... [Translation: ...to wear for their wedding…]. This was the France of Louis XIV, the Sun King. His military was the most powerful in Europe. The fact that Nicolau was a Captain meant that he commanded a company in the Royal Army and was a man of means as he would have had to purchase his commission. The document is signed by “Regnault “, most likely a notary. The location is not identified. The paper bears a watermark displaying a shield on which is a chevron and 3 orbs. For a historian, especially a social historian, this manuscript is a fine… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1694. Ephemera. On offer is an intriguing list of names on a document dated to France, 1694.The manuscript is principally a listing of nearly 5 dozen names with sums of money listed for each one. Considering the length of the list and the fact that the amounts are identical for groups of them, it is reasonable to assume that these may be wages due to labourers. One group is paid 1 livre tournois, 5 sols each while the other is paid 1 livres, 8 sols each. Several individuals received 3 livres. It is signed “Du Destre”. At the time, a livre tournois was worth approximately USD20.00. The nominal day wage for a labourer or farmer was approximately .75 livres. This list suggests that these were labourers, quite possibly on an estate and that this is part of an accounting record. For a social or economic historian, this manuscript is an excellent, first-hand example of the economic circumstances that labourers experienced in late-18th century… Read More

France. Very Good with no dust jacket. 1696. Ephemera. On offer is very detailed manuscript dating from 17th century France. The manuscript is dated 1696. Although very difficult read, there are some references within that are worth noting. There is a reference to the Seigneur de Valon. Valon is located in the Occitane region of south central France. The site has been occupied by a castle fortress since the mid-1100’s. Although unnamed, records indicate that the castle was in the hands of Estienne De Chaumeil de Dienne. Our informal research has not found any additional biographical information about the castle's owner. The castle passed through several hands and ceased to be inhabited following the French Revolution. It now belongs to the community as a historical site. There are several references to an unnamed woman in the manuscript but the context is unclear. Although this is speculation, the document may be a legal document relating to either a marriage, a land dispute or… Read More

Paris, France. Fair with no dust jacket. Ephemera. On offer is a fine example of a letter to a French doctor in Paris requesting his assistance. The letter is written in English. The author was on F. Cary to a Dr. Bourre in Paris. In his letter, Cary mentions two women by name – a Mrs Giffard and a Mrs. Cary. The latter may or may not have been related to or married to the author. Cary mentions that the women as suffering from serious nose bleeds. He makes reference to an unnamed doctor who has seen them and written a report which was apparently enclosed with the letter. He requests Bourre to examine them. An excerpt of the letter follows: ...I have nothing more to add than that Mrs. Giffard tho frequently appearing ill never makes any complaint and it is with difficulty that she will own that anything is the matter owing I believe to the difficulty nervous people have of explaining what they feel. After you have looked this over I should be very glad to see you. I leave Paris early… Read More

Bourges, France. Good with no dust jacket. 1702. Ephemera. On offer is a simple note concerning a death that has links with one of France’s most notorious trials andhints at past misdeeds in the local community. The document is a note, sent to an unidentified recipient concerning the Archbishop of Bourges, Léon Potier de Gesvres. His older brother was François-Bernard Potier, Marquis de Gesvres. It is the Marquis de Gesvres’ wife, Marie Madeleine Louise de Segliere, who died. The note was sent by Messieurs Mercier and Jacquemet of Bourges. The note states the following: Nous venons d'apprendre la mort de Madame la Marquise de Gesvres Belle-Soeur fe Monsigneur notre Archeveque, et nous croyons devoir en meme temps vous en informer. Nous ne doutons pas que vous ne preniez part a cette triste nouvelle, et a la juste douleur qu'elle doit avoir cause a notre Illustre Prelate. La bonte vraiment paternelle qu'il a pour vous ne demande rien moins que toute votre… Read More

France. Poor with no dust jacket. 1711. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating legal declaration made in the early years of 18th century France. The manuscript is a declaration made by one Jan d’Alencon, Sieur des Essarts. It is dated June 22nd, 1711. The manuscript references events as far back as 1700. It also mentions various amounts of money paid for different purposes. Our informal research has not turned up any biographical information about Jan d’Alencon. Historical sources have frequent references to the noble d’Alencon family and to the Seigneury of Des Essarts but our research has not confirmed a connection. The manuscript has not been translated. For a historian or genealogist, this manuscript offers a tantalizing mystery into life in this corner ofwestern France in the century before all was swept aside in the Revolution. The manuscript measures 11.25 inches by 8.0 inches. It contains 8 pages and is about 85% complete. The pages all have feathering and chipping… Read More

Normandy, France. Poor with no dust jacket. 1713. Ephemera. On offer is a financial document dating from the early 18th century in France. The document was drafted in Normandy. There are references to the city of Caen. Although not expressly stated (possibly due to missing text) , the context seems to suggest a marriage agreement between several parties. There are a number of names mentioned in the document with light underlining added some time later. Those names appear on a separate included list. The document refers to some amounts of money, as evidenced by the quote from the document below: “avec la somme de l'aise livres en argent les quelles meubles avec la dite somme ont ete estimees entre le dite parties a la somme de quatre vingt huit livres”. [Translation: “with the comfortable sum of pounds in silver which pieces of furniture with the saidsum were estimated between the said parties to the sum of eighty eight pounds…”]. For a social historian, this is… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1727. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating example of both a legal document and the handwriting script of 18th century France involving an Admiral of the French Navy. This legal note appears to have been folded and perhaps served as a cover note to a file. It references a legal action between Jean-Baptiste Barthélémy Thomas, Comte d’Orves and one Francis Balthayard Balalard Bourg. The specifics of the case are not detailed. Jean-Baptiste Barthélémy Thomas, Comte d’Orves was born to the d’Estienne family, a noble house of Provence. He served in the French Navy, rising to the rank of Captain. D’Estienne d'Orves took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778, captaining the 74-gun Actif. In 1778, d’Estienne d'Orves took command of the 80-gun Orient. Leading a French naval squadron in the Indian Ocean, he was given the authority, but not the rank, of a Rear Admiral. He died at sea in 1782.The… Read More

Bourges, France. Good in Good dust jacket. 1738. Ephemera. On offer is an interesting note dating from early 18th century France. The note is dated June, 1738 and begins: A la requeste d'une favour du nom procureur...[Translation: At the request of a favour in the name of prosecutor…]. The note was signed ‘Dubrelle”. Our informal research has not found any biographical information about “Dubrelle”. From research, we know that one Francoise Dumont was a lawyer in Bourges and years later was appointed as King’s attorney in the finance office of Bourges. However, we do not have conclusive proof that this is the same person. As noted above, the note bears a seal that refers to the city of Bourges. For a collector of correspondence or for a historian of this period in France, this little note would make an interesting addition to a collection. This small, 1-page note measures 7.25 inches by 4.75 inches. It is in good condition with wear marks along all edges.… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1741. Ephemera. On offer is an excellent example of a bill of goods dating from the first half of 18th century France. The document describes the products being purchased including 40 rolls of stamp paper (quarante rolles de papier timbres) and a payment schedule for the various items. The bill is signed by Lawrence de Ploesquellec. Our informal research has not been able to find any biographical information about him. However, the family surname is from the Brittany region of France. For a historian, this bill of lading gives an accurate look at the costs of some common goods that were for sale as well as the manner in which these transactions were carried out. The document is single-side sheet measuring 11.0 inches by 6.25 inches. The page is completely full of details. It is in reasonable condition with frayed edges on 3 sides and several wrinkles. The ink has faded somewhat but the handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 11"x6.25"; 1 pages;… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1748. Ephemera. On offer is an interesting French letter of introduction bearing the seal of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, one of the great military orders of Europe. The letter introduces a M. Nicolas Louis de Puithereau. Our informal research has confirmed the existence of this family and possibly this individual in the Seine-Maritime department of France. Throughout the letter there are references to several other individuals as well. The letter ends with three flourished signatures. The handwriting is a very neat but tight and fine copperplate. Of particular interest is the seal on the upper left corner of the letter – that of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (also known as the Knights of Malta and the Knights of St. John). The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem is a medieval military order established in Jerusalem in 1099 following the First Crusade A… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1756. Ephemera. On offer is fascinating manuscript from 1756, detailing a significant financial transaction with the document's author, Germain Pierre Blanchebarbe, the Lord of Grandbourgone, who was one of France's leading noblemen in the mid-18th century. The document describes an agreement to pay for wood provided by one Francois Blanche. An excerpt from the document follows: Nous mandons de payer a francois Blanche ... La somme de sept cent une livres trois sols neufs deniers ... Du prix de bois. [Translation: We mandate to pay to francois Blanche ... The sum of seven hundred and one livres three sols nine cents remaining ... Of the price of wood]. The price is a significant sum, equal to approximately three years ordinary wages so the amount of wood cut must have been substantial. The importance of the document is the author. Blanchebarbe was a French nobleman who also served as Grand Master of Waters and Lands of Blois under Louis XV. This was a… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1765. Ephemera. On offer is a lovely, handwritten legal document referencing a seigneurial holding in the northeast of France. In the mid-18th century. The document is entitled Queritur, Latin for Article. It opens with the identification of the landholding, as demonstrated in the following excerpt: Il y a une seigneurie et cour feodale appelee Westhove [ ] en la paroisse de Neuve Eglise [ ] de Bailleul. [Translation: There is a seigneury and feudal court called Westhove [ ] in the parish of Neuve Eglise [ ] de Bailleul]. The document goes on to outline certain rights of this seigneur: …aiant haute [ ] et basse justice et le seigneur a droit d' etablir un bailly. [Translation: …having a high [ ] and low justice and the Lord has the right to establish a Bailly]. The document goes on at length to discuss this. It ends with another person’s comments, noting it was delivered at Bailleul on July 1st, 1765 and signed de Baey. For a historian… Read More

Rouen, Normandy. Good. 1765. Ephemera. On offer is is a gorgeous military certificate created in pre-revolutionary France. Dated September 14th, 1765, this is a leave certificate for Captain Jacques Laport in the Poitou Regiment (known as the Saint Mauris Regiment until 1762). The certificate notes, among other personal descriptions, that Captain Laport was 24 years old and came from the city of Rouen in Normandy. The Poitou Regiment had been raised in 1616 and remained on the French Order of Battle until 1795 when it was amalgamated into the 49th Brigade. The Regiment saw continuous service in the many wars fought in Europe throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. An excerpt from the document follows: Infantierie francaise Regiment du infanterie de Poitou Conge Militaire Vu par nous Marechal de camp d'armee du roy, inspecteur d'infanterie, Saint Mauris Montbarry. [Translation: French Infantry Poitou Infantry Regiment Military Leave Seen by us Marshal of the royal army camp,… Read More

Venice, Italy. Good+. 1767. Ephemera. On offer is a fine example of an order issued by a senior Venetian government official in the mid-18th century. The document was written in 1767 by Paolo Baglioni, the Podestra or Chief Magistrate of Chioza (modern-day Chioggii). Chioza dates back to the Roman times. The community lies on a small island at the south end of the Lagoon of Venice. Its existence has always been linked with Venice. For much of the Middle Ages, Chioza was under the rule of the Republic of Venice and has been referred to as “Little Venice” because of its canals. Venice had been an independent and very wealthy city from 687 AD until 1797 AD. Fishing was always part of the economy of Chioza but the city’s main economic activity became the salt trade. Our informal research has not found any additional information about the author of this note. The document does make reference to a “militia”. This small document measures 5.5 inches by 8.25 inches. It… Read More

France. Fair with no dust jacket. 1773. Ephemera. On offer are three small documents detailing financial transactions dating from 1773 in pre-Revolutionary France. The receipts are acknowledgements loans to one M. M. De Ligny. Our informal research has not been able to find any additional biographical information. Each loan is for 1,765 livres or about US$250.00 in 2020. An interesting feature is that his wife is referred to each of the receipts and on one, her signature is affixed. For a historian, these are fine examples of the types of personal financial transactions that people frequently engaged in. For someone interested in gender studies or the role of women in various societies, this is an interesting comment on the role of women in some aspects of per-Revolutionary French society. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 3 pages .

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1773. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating manuscript that connects the French and Scottish aristocracy in the middle ages with links to the famous Scots or Scottish Guard of the French Kings. From context, it appears that this manuscript deals with the transfer of land. The location is in Brittany. An excerpt from the document follows: ...De la jurisdiction de quintin, Siege principal du duche de Lorges... [Translation: …of the jurisdiction of Quintin, the main seat of the duchy of Lorge…]. The document was submitted by one M. De Erovoc. There are several other parties named as well including Julien-Pierre Bonamy, Pierre Gaultiev (sic) and others. From context, the manuscript refers to property dealings of the Duchy of Lorges. This Duchy lies in Brittany in the northwest of France. The Duchy is associated with several notable events in French history. The Duchy, originally known as the seigneury of Lorges-en-Beauce, was part of the dowry that… Read More

Brittany, France. Fair with no dust jacket. 1777. Ephemera. On offer is an excellent example of a French legal document from the years immediately preceding the French Revolution. The document is an extract from the legal registry of Britanny. Drafted in 1777, it describes an agreement between Hyacinthe-Laurent du Pontavice and a woman named Olive Marie Malkerbe. The Pontavice family were French nobility dating back to the early middle ages. Hyacinthe-Laurent du Pontavice was a lieutenant of the Marshals of France and captain-commander of the king's hunts at Fougères in 1788. The reference to St. Ouen in the document refers to the Chateau St Ouen, a castle/manor home dating back to the 16th century. The property is still in the family. Our informal research has not found any additional information on Madam Malkerbe. The context suggests that this is the registration of a judgment that has now been satisfied: A comparu au Greffe des Affirmations de la Cour messere Hyacinthe… Read More

France. Very Good with no dust jacket. 1777. Non-Book. On offer is a fascinating legal document dating from the years immediately preceding the French Revolution. The document is a 4-page statement written on cream-coloured laid paper. The paper measures approximately 9.75 inches by 7.25 inches and is formed from a single sheet of paper. The document itself occupies 2 and a half pages. It bears a stamp on the front, although the stamp is not clear. The handwriting is reasonably legible. The document is a deposition taken from a witness in a legal action related to property in rural France. There are references to other landowners in the region. An excerpt follows: “Lasdevant de le Notaire Royal a Gardegan enquisune soussigne temoins presants le quatorzieme de mois de Novembre mille sept cents soixante dix sept apres [ ] au village du Lin parroisse de SallesJurisdiction deCastillon...: ” [p 1]. “In the presence of the Royal Notary at Gardegan, an undersigned witness was… Read More