FINE 1789 FRENCH REVOLUTIONARY BROADSIDE PUBLICIZING LETTER TO LAFAYETTE ABOUT GUNS FOR THE GUARDING OF LOUIS XVI IN PARIS

(FRENCH REVOLUTION). French Revolutionary broadside, printed on blue paper. No place: Lottin & Lottin, 1789. Measures 16 inches by 21 inches. $1200.

Fine French revolutionary broadside.

The broadside prints the text of a letter from M. la Tour-du-Pin to the Marquis de la Fayette, discussing the 6,000 guns the King had granted to the city of Paris, dated 20 November 1789: “The Director of the Artillery who is in Maubeuge, informed me, Sir, that there are in the process of being delivered 6,000 guns that the King has granted to the City of Paris, for the Service of the National Guard… “ In October of 1789, Lafayette, somewhat unwillingly but dutifully, had led the National Guard from Paris to Versailles, where he persuaded Louis XVI to accept the Declaration of the Rights of Man and to return to Paris under his and the Guard’s protection. “Lafayette was embarrassed by his position. He was, for the moment, sole master of the three forces–king, Assembly, and people. Each of the three was jealous and suspicious of the others. It was up to Lafayette to avoid friction… If he could manage to prevent them from turning on each other, there was still a strong chance they would all turn on him” (Buckman, Lafayette, 174). The letter printed in this broadside refers to the delivery of more munitions one month later, apparently for the guarding of the king at Paris. With superb typography, large and bold and set in various types.

Fine condition.