ON THE CENTENARY OF THE MOSCOW SCHOOL OF THE ORDER OF ST. CATHERINE (INSTITUTE FOR NOBLE GIRLS): February 10, 1903 - An Album of 62 Phototypes.

MOSCOW: P.P. Pavlov Phototype Studio, 1902. (published in advance of the centenary celebration.)

Hardcover book, title embossed on the front cover, 13x10 inches (33x25.5 cm) oblong, 62 phototype plates, each printed on its own leaf.

A turn-of-the-last-century photographic document of Moscow's Girl School of the Order of St. Catherine, consisting of 62 full page phototypes by the noted Russian photographer Pyotr Petrovich Pavlov. There is a brief caption below each phototype describing the image, and noting the photographer as P.P. Pavlov. All captions and the photographer's name are in Russian.

FAIR condition: The covers are sunned, worn through at the corners and some places along the edges, have shelf rubs and scrapes, what was likely gilt embossed titling now appears blind stamped with no gilt, and the spine has been rebacked with cloth tape; still the covers are doing their job. Internally, there is cloth tape reinforcement to the front and rear inner hinges and to the gutter hinge of the first two plates; the first leaf has its phototype pasted on (your guess as to why), but all the rest are printed on their leaf as issued; all the phototypes have soiling at the margins, some more than others, and there is some foxing, corner wear, and edge wear here and there; nonetheless the phototypes are rare and quite amazing.

A remarkable document of a long gone Russian era.

About the Moscow School of the Order of St. Catherine (from Wikipedia):

******The Moscow School of the Order of St Catherine (Russian: ?????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????????) was a girls' school in Moscow, Russia, between 1802 and 1918. It was a fashionable girl school for students from noble and rich burgher families (divided in different classes until 1842). The building now houses the Central House of Officers of the Russian Army.******

About the Photographer PYOTR PETROVICH PAVLOV (from the Russian site ??????? / The State Russian Museum and Exhibition Centre):

******Pyotr Petrovich Pavlov, b.1860 d.1924, was a prominent Russian photographer celebrated for documenting architectural monuments and everyday life in Moscow at the turn of the 20th century. His work provides a critical historical record of landmarks and public events during the twilight of the Russian Empire.

Born into a peasant family in the Petrozavodsk region of Olonetsk province, Pavlov relocated to St. Petersburg and eventually to Moscow in 1881. For a decade, he worked at the prominent photographic firm ?Scherer, Nabholz & Co.. In 1891, he opened his own portrait and group photography studio.

In 1898, Pavlov was commissioned by the "Old Moscow" board to document historical and architectural monuments.******

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This book is large and heavy and will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

A Journey from St Petersburg to Moscow with numerous illustrations. 1836 First Edition.

A Journey to St. Petersburg and Moscow through Courland and Livonia (Heath's Picturesque Annual for 1836) Leitch Ritchie. Published by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longman, 1836. First Edition. Illustrated by Alfred Gomersal Vickers. Hardbound in textured dark red cloth with blind embossed decorations to the covers and embossed gilt printing to the spine, 8" x 5", iv, [4], 256 pages, a.e.g. Beautifully illustrated with 24 steel engravings, frontispiece and half-title all with guards. VERY GOOD Condition: light wear to the extremities and spine folds. Internally, light foxing and small spotting to the plates and tissue guards, inner hinge cracked at engraved title but holding well by the sewn binding, overall tight, bright, clean and unmarked.

An antique travelogue of a journey through the Russian Empire made in April 1835, documenting the cities, towns, landmarks, points of interest, landscapes, and daily life on the route from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

Ritchie (1800-1865) was an English novelist who enjoyed some renown as a travel writer. This is a factual account of a journey made in April, 1835, under the employ of Charles Heath (1785-1848) renowned English Engraver and promoter of literary annuals including "Heath's Picturesque Annual". The plates are after drawings by English Painter A.G. Vickers (1810-1837) who died at age 27 just as his career was taking off.

Poland Under The Dominion of Russia by Harro Harring

Published by I.[gnacy] S.[zymanski], Boston, 1834. First American Edition. Translated, with an additional chapter "Views in Regard to the Court of St. Petersburg and its Policy" by Ignacy Szymanski (1806-1874); Introduction to the American edition by Samuel Gridley Howe (1801-1876). First published 1831 in German as "Memoiren über Polen unter russischer herrschaft, nach zweijährigem aufenthalt in Warschau." Hardbound in blue moire cloth covers with paper spine label, 8" x 5", xcix, 204 pages. Good Condition: covers worn and rubbed, splitting at spine folds, spine chipped/glued but the label remains legible and the binding tight. Internally, some old light shore lining and foxing otherwise right, bright, clean and unmarked. A scarce primary source that explores Poland politically and socially while it was under the oppresive dominion of Russia in the mid 19th century. 34 copies held in OCLC collections worldwide.

Harro Harring and Samuel Gridley Howe were 19th century political activists, freedom fighters and passionate advocates for liberty, involved in transnational movements fighting against the oppressive regimes of the Ottoman Empire in Greece, Russian Empire in Poland, and slavery in the US. Both men were driven by a romantic, liberal, and, at times, radical dedication to individual freedom and national self-determination. Their writings often focused on the liberation of oppressed peoples directly linking them to Szymanski's publishing efforts regarding Polish independence.

Harro Harring (1798-1870) North Frisian (German-Danish) poet, painter, émigré agitator, and revolutionary, known as a "freedom fighter" and "Odysseus of freedom," he was active in European, American, and South American struggles for freedom. Known for his passionate writings for a united, democratic Germany and his dedication to the "freedom of nations." He traveled extensively, acting as an international agitator for revolutionary causes. He advocated for a united, free Europe, fought for Greek independence, opposed Russian expansionism and, as early as 1846, called for the liberation of slaves.

Samuel Gridley Howe (1801-1876) A prominent American physician, Boston abolitionist, social reformer, and educator. Served as a surgeon and soldier in the Greek War of Independence (1824-1830), earning the title "The Lafayette of the Greek Revolution." He later aided the Cretan revolution in 1866. A radical opponent of slavery in the US, he was a member of the "Secret Six" who funded abolitionist John Brown. Also a supporter of the Underground Railroad and a member of the Boston Vigilance Committee which helped fugitive slaves. As the first director of the Perkins Institution for the Blind, he revolutionized education for disabled individuals. He advocated for education, prison reform, and worked with the Freedmen's Bureau after the Civil War.

Ignancy S. Szymanski (1806-1875) Polish war hero associated with the Polish cause, he acted as a publisher or facilitator for revolutionary literature. He came to the US about 1837 and owned a plantation fifteen miles south of New Orleans, fought for the Confederates in the Civil War and died a wealthy man but that's another story.

HISTORIA FIORENTINA, by DOMENICO BUONINSEGNI.

FLORENCE: Giorgio Marescotti, 1581 - with the date 1579 printed on the colophon page, as it is in many 1581 copies. This is a well known printer's mistake (or misdirection) as the book was first printed in 1580, not 1579. Because the 1579 date is often printed on the colophon of the 1581 printing, the book is occasionally mistakenly offered as a 1579 printing.

1867 PROVENANCE of ALFONSO CERQUETTI, with his SIGNATURE, DATE and PLACE in the bottom corner of the rear endpaper "Alfonso Cerquetti / 21 November 1867 / Forli". Alfonso Cerquitti, b.1830 d.1905, was an important Italian philologist, lexicographer, author and teacher (including at Forli, Italy, in 1867). He was known to be brilliant, but also infuriatingly pedantic (especially when it came to Italian linguistics), and sometimes ran afoul of religious authorities. Cerquetti is now, sadly, mostly forgotten. There is a wonderful article about Cerquetti online, search with the key words - Montecosaresi Alfonso Cerquetti - and you are bound to find it.

1906 PROVENANCE of PROFESSOR GEORGE BENSON WESTON, with his SIGNATURE, PLACE and DATE on the front free endpaper: "George B. Weston / Rome July 1906", and his BOOKPLATE on the front pastedown. George B. Weston, b.1874 d.1959, was a Professor Emeritus of Romance Languages at Harvard University, and a noted scholar of early Italian literature. He donated his library to Harvard in the 1950s. The Morgan Library holds a copy of his bookplate.

Professionally rebacked, resewn, and conserved, likely in the 19th or early 20th century. Hardcovers, vellum spine and marbled paper covered boards, 4to. 6x9 inches (15.5x23 cm). Manuscript title written on the vellum spine and bottom page edges. Pagination: [40], 829, [1], plus a front and rear endpaper. Illustrated with a woodcut printer's device on the colophon page and several engraved vignettes and decorative initials within the text.

LACKING THE TITLE PAGE (facsimile title page laid-in), otherwise complete. Collated page by page with a 1581 digitized copy in the Bavarian Library and a 1581 copy in the Austrian National Library. The pages in THIS copy are in much better condition (whiter and cleaner) than in either of those copies.

Condition: Lacking title page as noted above, otherwise this copy is one of the best preserved copies I have seen. The conserved covers and resewn binding make the book remarkably solid and well bound. Internally, the front endpapers have some recent relevant notes in pencil and ink, there is slight toning to the page edges, a bit of scattered foxing, mostly to the margins, and some light general signs of age and use. There are also a number of early, iron gall ink, additive marginalia notes and a bit of associated underlining, which I think adds to this copy (e.g. In the Tavola there are some names added in their proper alphabetical order, beside which are written the page numbers where the added names can be found). Overall the pages are tight, bright, and still look and feel fresh.

Solid, attractive copy, with the provenance of two notable linguistic scholars, and a bit of interesting early marginalia (perhaps by Alfonso Cerquetti?). Yes, this copy is lacking the title page (facsimile laid-in), but it is still one of the most well preserved copies I have seen. Thank you Alfonso Cerquetti, George Benson Weston, and all other previous owners who, since 1581, took excellent care of this book.

REPLY of the HELLENIC DELEGATION to the STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE PEACE CONFERENCE by the BULGARIAN DELEGATION WITH REGARD to the POLICY OF BULGARIA and ITS CLAIMS TO THRACE. [Paris Peace Conference 1919-1920]

"Translated from the French by Carroll N. Brown; with an Introduction by Theodore P. Ion; and with an Appendix of Seventeen Maps."

NEW YORK: Published for the American Hellenic Society by Oxford University Press, American Branch, first edition, 1920

Softcovers, 6.75x9.75 inches (17x25 cm), xvi, 51, plus 17 maps at the rear.

GOOD condition: the wrappers are peeling for 1 inch at the spine ends, have some corner creases, and the folds are tender but holding; internally, the pages have lightly creased corners, otherwise tight, bright, clean and unmarked. The 17 b&w maps at the rear have some light creases to the edges, but are all present and in solid, bright condition.

About the Post WWI Border Dispute between Bulgaria and Greece at the Paris Peace Conference (from Wikipedia and other Internet sources):

******"The Reply of the Hellenic Delegation to the Statements Submitted to the Peace Conference by the Bulgarian Delegation" refers to documents from the Paris Peace Conference of 1919-1920, whfdere Greece countered Bulgaria's territorial claims, particularly regarding Thrace, emphasizing Bulgaria's German alliance, wartime actions, and its role as an aggressor in Greece. Greece sought post-war territorial adjustments and security, while Bulgaria argued for fair treatment despite its pro-German alignment. Debates between the Hellenic and Bulgarian Delegations focused on border rectifications and Bulgaria's war responsibility.******

I TABACCHI GREGGI ITALIANI [Italian Raw Tobacco], by Umberto Rossi.

MILANO [Milan, Italy]: Istituto Grafico Vanzetti e Vanoletti, 1937 - XV [15th Year of the Fascist Era].

Softcovers, French folds, 4to 9x11.5 inches (22.5x29.5cm), 132 pages + 44 color plates of Italian Tobacco Plants and their Dried Leaves, plus a map of Italy showing the tobacco growing regions. The plates are protected with tissue guards. Who knew that Italy grew so many varieties of tobacco during the Mussolini fascist years?

GOOD MINUS condition, the covers are worn, especially around the bottom of the spine, lesser so at the edges and top of the spine; the rear inner hinge is cracked and worn but holding; there is a crease to the upper corner of the text block that creases the upper corner of all pages; the tissue guards are toned and have foxing as is normal, one is torn; there are some previous owner's relevant pencil notes here and there; otherwise tight, bright and clean.

A used but complete copy with all its plates depicting the amazing variety of tobacco produced in Italy under Mussolini.

KÖNIGLICH-SPANISCHER VERMÄHLUNGS-SAAL, auf welchem so wohl Das Oesterreichische Successions-Recht, als die Frantzös. Praetension Auf die Spanische Monarchie; Wie auch eine Beschreibung derer Spanischen Provinzien in drey Theilen, vorgestellet wird. 3 Teile in 1 Band. Von Johann Joachim Müller.

(ROYAL SPANISH WEDDING HALL, in which both the Austrian law of succession and the French pretension to the Spanish monarchy are presented, as well as a description of the Spanish provinces in three parts. 3 parts in 1 volume. By Johann Joachim Müller.)

FRANKFURT and LEIPZIG: Riegeln, 1710. TEXT in GERMAN.

Hardcovers, contemporary pigskin covered wooden boards, 4 raised spine bands, clasps, thick 8vo, 4x7 inches (10x17 cm). Pagination: [1} Blank, [10] Prelims, [16] Foreword, [62] Register, 640 Text Part I, 406 Text Part II, 400 Text Part III, [1] Blank, plus plates.

ILLUSTRATED with 20 copper plates consisting of 3 portraits including the frontispiece + 17 (of 18) folding plates. The folding plates include a horse ballet, a bullfight, views, maps of Cadiz, Gibraltar, Vigos, Barcelona, and more.

GOOD CONDITION:

The covers have some light staining, some spotting, age toning, and the manuscript writing on the spine is now illegible, but the pigskin boards are solid and quite attractive, and the covers' clasps are functional.

Internally, lacking 1 of the 18 folding plates (the 3 single page portrait engravings are present), 2 of the folding plates are torn with loss (the one next to page 332 Part III is missing all of its fold-open part), otherwise the plates are bright and attractive; the blank endpapers have some soiling; the title-page has some previous owner's notes (they appear to be relevant), the pages are lightly age toned, there is some soiling, spotting, edge chipping, marginalia, etc. here and there. Overall a solid, attractive, presentable copy of this 1710 book.

MAI 68 - Archive of JOURNALS and HANDBILLS PUBLISHED DURING the MAY-JUNE FRENCH STUDENT-WORKER REVOLUTION that Changed French Society forever.

(1) NINE ISSUES of ACTION - The French Resistance Newspaper created during the STUDENT-WORKER REVOLUTIONARY STRIKES that for a period shut down the French Economy and Government. Newspapers, mostly single-fold broadsheets to make 4 pages, folded in half horizontally as issued, unfolded front page measures 14.5x21 inches (37x53 cm). Seven of the issues were published in June 1968 and two in July 1968. The ACTION newspaper was published from May 1968 to June 1969. It is the issues that were published in May and June 1968, during the Student-Worker strikes and actions, that are the most difficult to find.

(2) TEN FLYERS / HANDBILLS calling on STUDENTS and WORKERS to take part in the REVOLUTIONARY STRIKES. Single sheets, Most 8x10 inches (20x25.5 cm). Six were printed in May 1968, one in April 1968, one in June 1968, and two are undated.

(3) SERVIR LE PEUPLE. "SPÉCIAL 1er MAI / 32 PAGES / Sommaire en page 3". Published on MAY 1, 1968 - the beginning of the Student and Worker Revolutionary Protests and Strikes in France. Newspaper, folded in half horizontally as issued, 11x16.5 inches (28x42 cm) unfolded. This special edition on MAI 68, published on May 1, 1968, is an important artifact of the 1968 French upheaval.

(4) TWO ISSUES of L'ENRAGÉ published in June 1968. L'Enragé was a satirical journal founded by Jean-Jacques Pauvert and produced in France during the May-June 68 events. Eight pages, printed on newsprint paper, 9x12 inches (23x30.5 cm

FAIR to GOOD CONDITION: All the issues and handbills have edgewear including chips and closed tears, folds, creases, toning, some holes at the folds, etc.; but all are complete and holding together.

The lasting social impact of what became known as MAI 68 was substantial, recent political events to the contrary!

MAI 68 - About the MAY 1968 FRENCH STUDENT & WORKER REVOLUTION (from Wikipedia):

******Beginning in May 1968, a period of civil unrest occurred throughout France, lasting seven weeks and punctuated by demonstrations, general strikes, and the occupation of universities and factories. At the height of events, which have since become known as May 68 (French: Mai 68), the economy of France came to a halt. The protests reached a point that made political leaders fear civil war or revolution; the national government briefly ceased to function after President Charles de Gaulle secretly fled France to West Germany on the 29th.

The unrest began with a series of far-left student occupation protests against capitalism, consumerism, American imperialism and traditional institutions. Heavy police repression of the protesters led France's trade union confederations to call for sympathy strikes, which spread far more quickly than expected to involve 11 million workers, more than 22% of France's population at the time. The movement was characterized by spontaneous and decentralized wildcat disposition. It was the largest general strike ever attempted in France, and the first nationwide wildcat general strike.

The events of May 1968 had a lasting impact and continue to influence French society. The period is considered a cultural, social and moral turning point in the nation's history.******

About ACTION Newspaper (from Wikipedia / translated by Google):

******ACTION was an activist newspaper created at the beginning of May 68. The first issue, released on May 7, 1968, launched a call for a "GENERAL STRIKE AND PERMANENT INSURRECTION". The strikes and insurrections that followed in May and June 1968 shook France to its core.******

1479 DAYS: THE SIEGE OF UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO : A Documentary Overview of Events 1992-1995. Written by scholars of the University of Sarajevo, and edited by Professor Faruk Caklovica, President of the University of Sarajevo.

Published by the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, second edition, 2010

Hardcover Book, no dustjacket as issued, 8.5x12 inches, 211 pages. Illustrated throughout with color and b&w photographs, drawings and reproductions of documents.

During the Serbs war against the Bosniaks, the University of Sarajevo found itself torn in two. The Serb nationals who were part of the University either left or joined the Serbian aggressors, while the Bosniaks stayed to fight and to try to keep the University operating. The siege of the University of Sarajevo lasted 1479 days.

VERY GOOD condition, cover corner tips are bumped, otherwise tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. A solid, nice, very presentable copy.

About the SIEGE of the UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO (from the Internet sources):

******About half the professors, lecturers and employees of the University of Sarajevo turned their backs on the University at the beginning of the Bosnian war in April 1992. Most of them had Serb nationality. Many fled the city to save themselves and their families, but a considerable number joined the Serb besiegers and supported the siege. This is the sobering conclusion of the book "1479 days - Siege of University of Sarajevo", which was prepared by scholars of the University and presented to the public in the Bosnian capital. In spite of the constant shelling, in spite of the snipers, in spite of hunger and cold, training and teaching were maintained by the professors and students who stayed at the risk of their lives.******

ITALIAN MANUSCRIPT Accounts Book kept by LUCIDO SPARAPANI. Handwritten Italian text. Dates appear to be from 1669 to the 1680s. Possibly Trento, Italy.

Contains 156 leaves completely filled with handwritten text. The leaves are hand numbered in two sections 1-71 and 1-85, with some blank leaves between the sections. Contemporary plain pasteboard covers, three cord binding, 5x7.5 inches (13x19 cm).

The names I was able to identify include: Giuseppe Brunelli, Felice Vergelli, Andrea Pittore, Francesco Benigni, Giovanni Cortini; but there are more.

Condition: Surprisingly GOOD condition, the pages are firm and well bound. The handwriting is sharp and clear but the small calligraphy and the iron in the ink makes it rather difficult to read (especially if, like me, you don't read Italian). The covers have wear and a piece missing at the bottom of the pine. A wonderful, very presentable copy.

My research shows that the SPARAPANI family was a renowned family of nobility from the Trento province of Italy. The family held a number of noble titles. The family was apparently affluent, socially connected, and produced many notaries.

I found that LUCIDO SPARAPANI wrote a book about Saint Vittorino in 1701 titled:

"Notizia compendiosa della vita di S. Vittorino confessore, descritta dal conte Lucido Sparapani da Camerino nell'anno 1701. A cui furono aggiunti il panegirico composto per il sudetto santo, la narrazione della traslazione del suo corpo, e molti componimenti poetici..."

(Compendium of the life of St. Vittorino confessor, described by Count Lucido Sparapani from Camerino in the year 1701. To which were added the panegyric composed for the aforementioned saint, the narration of the translation of his body, and many poems.)

Because of the difficulty I have with Italian and the handwriting, there are likely errors in my description. Please correct me when you find them.

SIXTY-TWO (62) ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT INDENTURES relating to the PORTOBELLO ESTATE / PORTOBELLO ROAD AREA in NOTTING HILL, LONDON, accompanied with 62 HAND DRAWN COLOR PLAT MAPS, a CONVEYANCE and LEASE SCHEDULES. ALL are SIGNED by various notable individuals. These important real estate transactions took place in 1868 and 1869. Bound in hard covers.

The main SELLER of the properties was CHARLES HENRY BLAKE and the main BUYERS were THE FREEHOLD SECURITIES COMPANY LIMITED, JOHN PARSON, and THE LAND AND HOUSE INVESTMENT SOCIETY. Sixty-one of the 62 indentures were transactions where C. H. Blake was the seller. Other individuals named in the indentures and conveyance include HENRY BESSEMER, Henry Hyde, William Honeywood, William Burchell the Younger, and other wealthy, movers and shakers of the day. Frank Richardson, Solicitor for both The Freehold Securities Company and The Land And House Investment Society, signed many of the indentures as a witness.

The indentures and conveyance are bound in a book that was presumably made to hold them. Hardcovers, textured cloth covered boards with leather spine and corners, five raised spine bands, gilt title "PORTOBELLO ESTATE" on the front cover, 10x15 inches (25x38 cm), 147 pages (74 leaves). The indentures are all printed on watermarked laid paper.

The first item is a long manuscript CONVEYANCE titled: "PORTOBELLO ESTATE In the parish of Saint Mary Abbott Kensington in the County of Middlesex - Copy of the CONVEYANCE of the above property to HENRY BESSEMER ESQUIRE and of the LEASES for which said property is subject". The INDENTURE that is part of the Conveyance is dated the 16th day of December 1869. It is 21 pages long and includes a FULL PAGE HAND COLORED PLAT MAP showing the properties on Golbourne (Golborne) Road between Portobello Road and Wornington Road, and a LEASE SCHEDULE that fully describes each parcel. Numerous signatures at the end of the Indenture / Conveyance.

The subsequent 61 INDENTURES are between CHARLES HENRY BLAKE of Stanley Crescent, Notting Hill, in the County of Middlesex, and either JOHN PARSON, or THE FREEHOLD SECURITIES COMPANY LIMITED, or THE LAND AND HOUSE INVESTMENT SOCIETY. Nineteen are dated in 1868, the others in 1869.

Each Indenture has a hand drawn plat map of the property in question, all presumably part of the Portobello Estate. Most of the indentures are 2 pages long, some longer.

Condition: The covers have some old water staining / shorelining, scrapes, rubs, and general wear; the gilt title "Portobello Estate" is rubbed; else the covers are solid and doing their job well. The front and rear endpapers are recent. The bound in indentures have gray and brown stains, substantial on many of the pages, present on all the pages. Perhaps these are ink blotter stains, or offsetting from where these indentures were originally stored, or simply caused by unstable ink and colors, I do not know. The good news is that the manuscript writing is FULLY VISIBLE AND LEGIBLE beneath all the stains. The first two leaves have a 2x2.5 inch (5x7 cm) area of tearing, mostly in the blank spine gutter area but affecting some text words. The tears could be archivally repaired. The first two leaves, and a couple other pages, have a pea size hole that affects some letters. There is 1/2 inch (1 cm) of worming to the bottom blank margin of the last 3 leaves. The last leaf has a quarter (the U.S. coin) size hole in its center affecting some words. This last leaf is blank on the verso, so the affected words are only on the recto.

An incredible group of important historic indentures with plat maps showing the Victorian Era property sales of the PORTOBELLO ESTATE that led to the development of the fashionable PORTOBELLO ROAD / NOTTING HILL region of London that we know today.

This archive of PORTOBELLO ROAD indentures belongs in a museum, imho.

CLAUDE FAUCHET - FRENCH BISHOP who STORMED THE BASTILLE and EULOGIZED BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - HANDWRITTEN, SIGNED, WORRIED LETTER dated 1783 - HE was GUILLOTINED on HALLOWEEN in 1793

SIGNED, HANDWRITTEN LETTER from the French Bishop CLAUDE FAUCHET to a M. CHEVIN, Fils. Dated May 15, 1783. In French.

Single page letter written on a single fold sheet of laid, watermarked paper, with an address leaf and wax seal on the backside. The letter measures 8.5x12 inches (20x31.5 cm). A typed translation is provided on a sheet of paper that has browned and is a bit brittle with age (1940s?).

The letter is written to a close friend, M. Chevin, fils. It is warm and intimate. Fauchet tells that his life is beset with "thorns" and "grief", likely troubles related to the bubbling 1789 French Revolution. Though a Revolutionist himself, Fauchet was tried and guillotined by the Revolutionists in 1993. The letter begins:

"I am very touched, my dear friend, by the part you take in my trouble and for all the evidences of affection you have shown me...for some time my life has been beset with thorns and every day brings me new grief. If the consolations of friendship did not sweeten the bitterness which pours into my heart, I would consider it a great blessing to withdraw from this world and to live only with God and my conscience."

Condition: Age toning, several original folds, tear where the letter was opened not affecting text. Overall this 1783 letter remains in GOOD condition, the writing is bright and clear, the wax seal shines, the paper's watermark is visible.

RARE FRENCH REVOLUTION ERA DOCUMENT by a BISHOP who STORMED THE BASTILLE WITH the REVOLUTIONISTS and was THEN GUILLOTINED BY THEM.

About CLAUDE FAUCHET (from Wikipedia):

******Claude Fauchet (22 September 1744 - 31 October 1793) was a French bishop.

He was born at Dornes, Nièvre. He was a curate of the church of St Roch, Paris, when he was engaged as tutor to the children of the marquis of Choiseul, brother of Louis XVs minister, an appointment which proved to be the first step to fortune. He was successively grand vicar to the archbishop of Bourges, preacher to the king, and abbot of Montfort-Le Carre.

HE WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE ATTACK ON THE BASTILLE, and on 5 August 1789 he delivered an eloquent discourse by way of funeral sermon for the citizens slain on 14 July, taking as his text the words of St Paul, 'Ye have been called to liberty".

He blessed the tricolor flag for the National Guard and in September was elected to the Commune. In 1790 he wrote France's Eulogy to Benjamin Franklin (Eloge Civique De Benjamin Franklin). He retired from the Commune in October 1790. During the next winter he organized within the Palais Royal the Social Club of the Society of the Friends of Truth, presiding over crowded meetings under the self assumed title of procureur général de la vérité. Nevertheless, events were marching faster than his opinions, and the last occasion on which he carried his public with him was in a sermon preached at Notre Dame on 4 February 1791.

In July 1793 he was imprisoned on the charge of supporting the federalist movement at Caen. He was brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal on 30 October, and was guillotined on the following day, October 31 (Halloween!!!)."******

HISTOIRE DE PARIS ET DES PARISIENS. "Il a été réalisé sous la direction générale de ROBERT LAFFONT. (Created under the Direction of Robert Laffont.)

SIGNED on the half title page by ROBERT LAFFONT, the noted French publisher and editor. ALSO on the half title page, in a DIFFERENT HAND, is a LONG HANDWRITTEN POEM in FRENCH about PARIS, an inscription with the date "Paques 1958" (Easter 1958), and an inscription in English "With my best love to both". The long poem and inscription is signed "Marie Anne (??)". I wish I could make out the full name so I could research the inscriber, but I cannot. Maybe you can!! There is a lovely biblio bookplate on the verso of the half title page that states: "From the Library of Dorothy and Gordon Miller", possibly the two whom Marie Anne gave her love to.

Published by Editions Du Pont Royal, Paris, 1957.

Hardcover Book, no dustjacket as issued, 9.5x12 inches, 276 pages plus 15 page appendix and index at the rear.

FAIR condition: The front spine fold is split but holding, the spine covering is sunned and tearing but present, the cover corners are bumped and worn through, nonetheless the covers are doing their job and the front and rear panels are bright and clean; internally, the front spine fold is cracked, the text block is a bit shaky, otherwise the inner pages are tight, bright, clean and clear. A solid, complete copy with worn covers.

The SIGNATURE of ROBERT LAFFONT and the Long HANDWRITTEN POEM about PARIS by a French Woman makes this copy UNIQUE.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This book is heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

WAR AND THE HOLOCAUST, by ILLAN PALAT.

TEXT IN RUSSIAN, except for an 8 page section in English.

Self published, San Francisco, 2004. Printed by Anzori Printing.

Softcovers, 8.5x11 inches, 211 pages. Illustrated with some b&w photographs.

VERY GOOD condition, just lightly used, tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

About the author ILLAN PALAT (from the BLAVATNIK ARCHIVE website):

******Illan Palat was born on April 10, 1924, in Ukraine. When he was three, his family had their property confiscated and was forced to move to the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. They lived and worked in Birofeld, a local kolkhoz, until Palat's father learned accounting and relocated his family to Birobidzhan. Palat was drafted in October 1942, underwent infantry training, and was sent to the front. His first combat experience was in the Battle of Kursk, where he fought on the front line in a 45mm anti-tank artillery unit. The battles were brutal, and Palat's unit suffered heavy losses. There were intermittent shortages of food and water, but there was also a strong sense of camaraderie among all soldiers, regardless of their backgrounds. In late 1943, Palat was severely wounded in the leg; he was saved by another solider, who carried him off the battlefield and into a local house. After eight months of hospitalization and multiple surgeries, Palat returned to Birobidzhan on crutches. Of the forty-three young men who were drafted from Birobidzhan with him, only two would come back. After demobilization, Palat worked as a watchmaker in Birobidzhan, until doctors advised him to move to a warmer climate because of his wound. In 1947, Palat moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, where he worked in construction. In 1977, he moved to United States and lived in New York and San Francisco. In addition to working as a contractor, he wrote the books A SOLDIER FROM BIROBIDZHAN and THE WAR AND THE HOLOCAUST.******

ÆVISKRÁR SAMTÍÐARMANNA, by Torfi Jonsson. A Three Volume Set containing Brief Biographies and Genealogies of Thousands of 20th Century Icelanders. Published in Iceland, 1982. Text in Icelandic. Hardcovers, faux leather covers, titled in gilt on the front covers and in silver on the spines, 6x9 inches. Volume I: A-H, 686 pages; Volume II: J-R, 613 pages; Volume III: S-Ö (Ö being the last letter in the Icelandic alphabet), 621 pages. VERY GOOD condition, Volume I has a bump to the upper corner of the front cover that also creases the upper corner of the first 80 or so pages, and there is a small smudge on the Foreword page; otherwise all the volumes are just lightly used and still tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. A nice set of books to refer to when you are in the mood to brush up on your Icelandic heritage, genealogy, and language! INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This 3 Volume Set is heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

The Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern, by Rev. Anthony Cogan. DUBLIN: John F. Fowler and J. Dollard, 1862 - 1870. First Editions. COMPLETE THREE VOLUME SET. Hardcovers, Volumes I & II in their original cloth covered boards with gilt printing to the spines, Volume III professionally rebound in cloth covered boards with a gilt title label on the spine, 5x7.5 inches (12x19 cm). Pagination: lvi, 427; xv, 560; xxiii, 681, respectively. Reverend Father Anthony Cogan was a priest and scholar of the Diocese of Meath, Ireland. His three volume diocesan history made use of the incredible Meath archives, including many manuscripts from the early 17th century. Unfortunately, MUCH of the ARCHIVAL MATERIAL used in the work WAS DESTROYED in the MEATH PUBLIC RECORDS FIRE of 1922. Condition: VOLUME I is in GOOD condition, the covers show some rubbing and the gilt lettering on the spine has faded

away, but the covers remain sturdy and attractive; internally there is the stamp of ST. TERESA'S COLLEGE / GEORGE'S HILL / DUBLIN on the front free endpaper, and a label that reads: LORETTO HOUSE, NAVAN, on the front pastedown;

there is a number written on the front free endpaper; there is a spot or two here and there; overall tight, bright, clean and unmarked. VOLUME II is in FAIR condition, the spine covering is worn and weary, it has been amateurishly glued tight to the spine text block causing it to be flat rather than curved at the spine; the spine covering is also creased and is fraying at its ends; the front and rear boards are rubbed but solid and doing their job well; internally, the front and rear free endpapers are lacking but the pastedowns are present; the front and rear inner hinges are fully split, exposing the inner netting, but are holding; the inner text pages are complete and are in good condition, some edgewear here and there, otherwise bright, clean and unmarked. VOLUME III is in VERY GOOD condition, its professional rebinding is bright and sharp, inner pages have some light foxing here and there, a blank endpaper has a few small numbers written at the upper corner, otherwise the pages are tight, bright, clean and unmarked. This COMPLETE, FIRST EDITION, THREE VOLUME SET is historically important, especially after the destructive fire of 1922. It is quite hard to find in its complete state. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This three volume set will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.