Auction 68 Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
Sep 19, 2019 (Your local time)
Israel
 8 Ramban St, Jerusalem.
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LOT 207:

Collection of Letters Handwritten by the Minister of Police during the French Revolution – Paris, 1796-1797 – ...

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Sold for: $1,500
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Collection of Letters Handwritten by the Minister of Police during the French Revolution – Paris, 1796-1797 – Approval for Opening a Synagogue in Paris
Sixteen letters, handwritten on official stationery, sent by the French Minister of Police Charles Cochon de Lapparent to the administrators of the 7th and 11th quarters of Paris and other government officials during the French Revolution. Paris, [1796-1797]. French.
Official letters containing opinions, requests and instructions about issues of law and punishment and various administrative issues under the responsibility of the French Minister of Police Charles Cochon de Lapparent. The letters refer, among other things, to the law requiring the locking of doors during the night and the punishment for breaking the law, the entrance of immigrants to France, and more.
The most interesting letter deals with a request by the Jews of Paris to open a synagogue in an apartment in 29 rue des Blancs-Manteaux. The letter, from December 1796, states that the opening of the synagogue should be permitted and notes that the Jews' freedom of religion is anchored in the French constitution.
The letters were divided into three groups; each group of letters is bound into a booklet and all three booklets are placed in a custom-made album. Two of the booklets of letters are mounted to the leaves of the album (the last leaf of each of them is set in thick paper, with a "window" displaying both sides of the letter). The third booklet of letters is placed in a transparent plastic pocket. Alongside the letters, the album contains a short biography of Charles Cochon de Lapparent (a typewritten English leaf) and a print depicting the grand attack on Valenciennes, France, in 1793. The album is hardbound with a gilt inscription on its front. A paper label with information about the letters was mounted on the inside front binding.
The French politician Charles Cochon de Lapparent (1750-1825) held senior positions in the French Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly) and the Comité de Salut Public (Committee for the Public's Safety) and served as the Minister of Police of France during the years 1796-1797 (for additional information about him, see enclosed biography).
16 letters (17 handwritten leaves), approx. 23.5 cm. Album: 39.5 cm. Good overall condition. Stains. Fold lines and creases. Minor blemishes.
Enclosed: English translations of the letters.
Provenance:
1. Purchased at the Ader-Picard-Tajan Auction House, 1987.
2. Autograph collection of Dr. Max Thoreck, USA.
3. A private Collection, New York.

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