Search Results: 17th Century Manuscript 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.

Europe, 1606. On offer is a superb two-page on four leaves ancient gothic document. Cursory research finds that this 1606 document written during the reign of Henri IV specifically refers to the Armenian population of Europe and makes mention of the famed Seyne [sometimes Seine] family of Armenians and the town named after them. Very rare as such. A photocopy of notes regarding the document in French accompany the original. . Good+. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Manuscript.

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

THE NEW WORLD MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY [?], 1680. On offer is a fascinating, original, very early manuscript relic of America's early settlers and their observations of the New World being a later 17th Century diary fragment relating to indigenous American Indians that the early settlers were introduced to. The extraordinary, lengthy 7.25 x 9.5 inch clipping is backed by an additional thin layer of paper mounted onto a larger, almost 9" x 12" sheet of modern paper is dated 1647 and provides a fascinating glimpse at Pilgrim observations of the native population in the rugged New World (likely the Massachusetts Bay Colony). The early manuscript is devoted exclusively to the activities and behaviour of Native American Indians, particularly their methods of hunting and fishing. Included is a reference to the "Powawes" an early term used to describe Indians who practiced forms of magic. Neatly penned in an unknown cursive hand, the clipping appears to be a slightly later yet… Read More

Paris FRANCE. Very Good. 1650. Full-Leather. On offer is a simply superb, ancient, mid 17th Century manuscript book titled "Suitte du memorial on recueil de l'histoire de France, Louis treizeime", an epic 750+ page handwritten history of the reign of Louis XIII from the condemnation of his father's assassination in 1610 to his own death in 1643. The work, written in what is likely a 16th Century French monastic or ecclesiastical style hand, was created after the death of Louis XIII and in its writing shows the foundations laid for a clear path to domination of France by Louis XIV. The book appears to be an unpublished final manuscript prepared for publication as there are corrections and marginalia notes. The front pastedown boasts a contemporary Parisian ownership inscription to the top left and then centered below is the bookplate of John Smith Budgen Esq. The 23 x 16 cm. book has 377 hand numbered leaves with writing on both sides of the leaf for over 750 pages. The… 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.

France: None, 1662. Beautifully penned, one page, both sides written upon, boldly signed legal/financial document referencing legal obligations and monies owed and required by the signatory parties. Additional signatures require further research. . Autograph. Manuscript. Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

France, 1662. A small inscription on this eight [8] page skin parchment states that on June 16th 1662, this document acts as a contract, division of wealth and an act of recognizance that validates the marriage of George deMadeline and Jeanne Duportail. The document is bound by thread. The document is signed by witnesses and a functionary (Faubier ??). Though a short document this apparently binds the relationship of the two families and the tone appears that the woman appears to be as if chattel.. Autograph. Manuscript. Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

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, 1666. Lieutenant Particulier relates in this printed 'Factum' the legal dealings of a trial contesting the validity of the last wills and testaments of Francois Gibert who died a hero of the battles between the Dutch and English in June of 1666. A handwriting expert, Louis Auuynet, states that one will is a forgery and the other legitimate. autograph at the top by Auuynet of Courval with what appears to be a file number. VG+.. Very Good+. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Manuscript.

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, 1668. Beautifully penned, one small page, parchment (skin), boldly signed but hard to make out, legal/financial document referencing legal obligations and monies owed. Signatures require further research. . Autograph. Manuscript. Very Good. 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall.

France, 1669. On offer is a very interesting 4 page printed proclamation cancelling the death sentence of 2 criminals. The text goes to great lengths to explain the Sun King's absolution of the affair. Some signs of yellowing but some loss to the bottom left corner with some loss of words but not many. G.. Good. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Manuscript.

France. Good+. 1671. Manuscript. Referred to as "Folio 36" this ancient document details all the names owing seigniorial dues owed to the Baronnie of Digione in 1671. It is stamped in Dijon and both have a notation requiring copies to Antoine also known as "Canault au Choumoy".; 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, FRANCE, SEIGNIORIAL, DIJON, 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; Signed by Autograph .

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

France, 1682. Some staining and damage to the lower edge, loss of perhaps twenty words this ancient document, "CONFIRMATION DES PRIVILEGES POUR L'UNIVERSITE D'AVIGNON, 1649", THIS EDITION 1682. The document starts with an 'oath' that dates back to the 14th Century attesting to the nature and responsibilities of the University. This document also lists the arrests of Jean Baptiste de Tonduty, Seigneur de Blauvac and several other prominent persons including doctors also citing counties and registrars of the Government responsible for this matter. Interestingly enough there is a hotel named for Baptiste in Blauvac to this day having been founded in 1664.. Autograph. Manuscript. Fair. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

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