Search Results: 17th Century Ephemera from Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.

Paris, France, 1603. On offer is an ancient, very interesting, medieval French document that ends a 26 year long legal battle. Deliberated in Paris in 1603 the document ends with three affixed signatures of the members of a council formed in June of 1577. The document states the problems between various individuals and the resultant end with the status of revenues and properties. This document is written in middle-French that lists names of various noble families. Much is left unsaid but given the use of the language and mention of nobility this may possibility be an establishment of estates or other revenues. Certainly an ancient work worthy of further research.. Manuscript. Good. Folio - over 12" - 15" tall.

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

NEVERS FRANCE, 1656. On offer is an original handwritten ancient document signed by five individuals most notably Monsieur le curé François Adam, curé de l'église de Magny", or "Mr François Adam, pastor of the church of Magny'. The document concerns among other things, the payment of a number of Masses to be said and specifies Nevers and Roux. VG.. Autograph. Manuscript. Very Good. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. French.

EUROPE ANDORRA [ANDORRE]. Very Good+. 1665. On offer is a superb, ancient handwritten document with beautiful calligraphy. Casual reading finds reference to the ancient principality of Andorra but given the incredible history of Andorra this document requires further research. Three signatures include Brousse, the other two illegible. The document has a few slight faults along the old fold lines and a few words have been crossed out. Overall G. ; Folio - over 12" - 15" tall; ANDORRE, ANDORRA, CALLIGRAPHY, SPAIN, FRANCE, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, DIARIES, JOURNALS, LOGS, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, antiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier Antike, Brief, Pergament, Dokument, Manuskript, Papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina, documento, manoscritto, carta antigüedad,… 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, 1681. Dated January 3rd, 1681, ancient document with a number of signatures though Delongchamps is the only dechiperable, relating to the revenues of the Generalite d'Alecon. Very fine illustrated revenue. Slightly fragile and some chips and small tears. Autograph. Manuscript. Good. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.

EDINBURGH SCOTLAND. Very Good. 1681. Unbound. On offer is an excellent skin charter being a land grant from Charles II to well-noted jurist James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount of Stair, Scotland with mentions the Dukes of Rothes and Lauderdale, who were also prominent Scotsmen. Dalrymple was famed not only for his legal judgments but also he was a prominent character in Scotland's history having been involved in the negotiations between Charles and the Scottish Parliament. This grant was given at Edinburgh on the 10th of December 1680, absent of seals. There is another note on the back of the parchment to say that the charter was written at Edinburgh on the second of March 1681, suggesting the deal was struck in December but that the charter was not actually drawn up until the next March. Historically the Charters falls squarely between the Restoration period and when he was prominent until his sympathy with the Covenanters at the time of the Scottish Test Act caused him to lose (1681) his… Read More

England. Fair. 1685. On offer is an original, fascinating though flawed historically significant ancient 1685 manuscript. Dated and signed February 10th 1685 handwritten a mere four days after the death of Charles II, referencing the new king James II two months prior to his coronation at Westminster Abbey by and for the British Royal Postal Service being a Royal warrant and division of financial profits of the British post office to Prince George among other notables. The 44 page document begins: "Our Will And Pleasure Is That You Prepare A Bill For Our Royall Signature To Pass Our Great Seale Of England in the words or to the effect following, James the Second and to all to whom these presents shall come Greetings. Whereas in pursuance of and according to a …. Covenant and agreement I will part …in accordance articles relating to the marriage and solemnized between our dearly beloved son in law Prince George hereditary of Denmark and our dearly beloved daughter Anne… 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

ENTREVAUX FRANCE, 1694. On offer is a superb manuscript letter dated 29th of September Entrevaux handwritten by the noted Captain de la Contardiere interesting letter on a variety of military subjects: the King's ordnances being stolen, a Council of War, a large number of maladies besetting the King's army, issues with a particular Lieutenant Colonel in the Regiment etc. De la Contardiere is famous for his defense of Entrevaux in 1704. The historical background is fascinating: King Louis XIV of France having accepted the throne of Spain for his grandson, Philippe of Anjou, found himself in war against Austria, England, Holland and the Duchy of Savoy. These events are known as "The War of the Spanish Succession: 1701 to 1713". The army of the Duke of Savoy, Victor-Amedee was mobilized to invade Provence. The garrisons of the forts of Entraunes and Rabbets, in its possession, were reinforced. The English fleet under Admiral Rook blocked Antibes, preventing with the French… 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

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1679. Ephemera. On offer is a classic example of Ronde script from 17th century France. Ronde script appeared in France at the end of the 16th century, and was popularized by writing masters such as Louis Barbedor in the 17th century. This style of writing was still in use (with some modifications) until the 20th century because it was used in French school manuals to teach the basics of cursive writing. It was also commonly used by the scribes of the French Ministry of Finance until right after World War II, which gave this style the name of écriture ronde finnancière ('round financial writing'). The classic French rondes was also very present in the work of 18th century type founder and calligrapher Nicholas Gando, which has been revived for the digital medium by way of the French 111 font From context, there are references to the king, at that time Louis XI, who holds the record as the longest serving monarch in Europe, from 1643… Read More