Search Results: 18th Century Ephemera from Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.

Paris, France. Fair with no dust jacket. Ephemera. On offer is a fine example of a letter to a French doctor in Paris requesting his assistance. The letter is written in English. The author was on F. Cary to a Dr. Bourre in Paris. In his letter, Cary mentions two women by name – a Mrs Giffard and a Mrs. Cary. The latter may or may not have been related to or married to the author. Cary mentions that the women as suffering from serious nose bleeds. He makes reference to an unnamed doctor who has seen them and written a report which was apparently enclosed with the letter. He requests Bourre to examine them. An excerpt of the letter follows: ...I have nothing more to add than that Mrs. Giffard tho frequently appearing ill never makes any complaint and it is with difficulty that she will own that anything is the matter owing I believe to the difficulty nervous people have of explaining what they feel. After you have looked this over I should be very glad to see you. I leave Paris early… Read More

Bourges, France. Good with no dust jacket. 1702. Ephemera. On offer is a simple note concerning a death that has links with one of France’s most notorious trials andhints at past misdeeds in the local community. The document is a note, sent to an unidentified recipient concerning the Archbishop of Bourges, Léon Potier de Gesvres. His older brother was François-Bernard Potier, Marquis de Gesvres. It is the Marquis de Gesvres’ wife, Marie Madeleine Louise de Segliere, who died. The note was sent by Messieurs Mercier and Jacquemet of Bourges. The note states the following: Nous venons d'apprendre la mort de Madame la Marquise de Gesvres Belle-Soeur fe Monsigneur notre Archeveque, et nous croyons devoir en meme temps vous en informer. Nous ne doutons pas que vous ne preniez part a cette triste nouvelle, et a la juste douleur qu'elle doit avoir cause a notre Illustre Prelate. La bonte vraiment paternelle qu'il a pour vous ne demande rien moins que toute votre… Read More

France. Poor with no dust jacket. 1711. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating legal declaration made in the early years of 18th century France. The manuscript is a declaration made by one Jan d’Alencon, Sieur des Essarts. It is dated June 22nd, 1711. The manuscript references events as far back as 1700. It also mentions various amounts of money paid for different purposes. Our informal research has not turned up any biographical information about Jan d’Alencon. Historical sources have frequent references to the noble d’Alencon family and to the Seigneury of Des Essarts but our research has not confirmed a connection. The manuscript has not been translated. For a historian or genealogist, this manuscript offers a tantalizing mystery into life in this corner ofwestern France in the century before all was swept aside in the Revolution. The manuscript measures 11.25 inches by 8.0 inches. It contains 8 pages and is about 85% complete. The pages all have feathering and chipping… Read More

Normandy, France. Poor with no dust jacket. 1713. Ephemera. On offer is a financial document dating from the early 18th century in France. The document was drafted in Normandy. There are references to the city of Caen. Although not expressly stated (possibly due to missing text) , the context seems to suggest a marriage agreement between several parties. There are a number of names mentioned in the document with light underlining added some time later. Those names appear on a separate included list. The document refers to some amounts of money, as evidenced by the quote from the document below: “avec la somme de l'aise livres en argent les quelles meubles avec la dite somme ont ete estimees entre le dite parties a la somme de quatre vingt huit livres”. [Translation: “with the comfortable sum of pounds in silver which pieces of furniture with the saidsum were estimated between the said parties to the sum of eighty eight pounds…”]. For a social historian, this is… Read More

LIEPZIG, 1718. On offer is a super relic of Christian Doctrine being a 1718 original 4 page manuscript letter handwritten by author and theologian Romanus Teller [1703-1750] pastor at Leipzig, and afterwards became professor of theology in the University. He was father of the very famous theologian Wilhelm Abraham Teller. This 8 x 6.5 inch Latin letter, signed by Teller, is written to another well known Lutheran Theologian, Johann Christian Biel and the title suggest Teller is offering a formal clarification on points of Doctrine. General light soiling from age but overall G+.. Good+. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Latin.

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1727. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating example of both a legal document and the handwriting script of 18th century France involving an Admiral of the French Navy. This legal note appears to have been folded and perhaps served as a cover note to a file. It references a legal action between Jean-Baptiste Barthélémy Thomas, Comte d’Orves and one Francis Balthayard Balalard Bourg. The specifics of the case are not detailed. Jean-Baptiste Barthélémy Thomas, Comte d’Orves was born to the d’Estienne family, a noble house of Provence. He served in the French Navy, rising to the rank of Captain. D’Estienne d'Orves took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778, captaining the 74-gun Actif. In 1778, d’Estienne d'Orves took command of the 80-gun Orient. Leading a French naval squadron in the Indian Ocean, he was given the authority, but not the rank, of a Rear Admiral. He died at sea in 1782.The… Read More

MARLBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS MASS MA, 1736. On offer is a charming relic of Marlborough Massachusetts ephemera being a manuscript dated 1736 detailing the specifics of a new road in the town. "A way laid out beginning near the dwelling house of Jeremiah Barstow & so running along between the land of Col Thomas How & the land of Simon Gates & is bounded by said Gates land by boundry mark't trees & it is Eight rods wide until it comes to that which is called the Indian land & then running across the County road along by the house of Zachariah Maynard four rods wide & still extends four rod wide along between land of Daniel Rice & land of Eliazer Rice & along through the land of Thomas Martin down where the path now goeth. Down that which is called Sandy Hill & then it is tow rods wide & then turning & then running through the land of Joshua Rice through a corner of Rice's land and then through Daniel Rice's land & the land of Thomas Martin… Read More

Bourges, France. Good in Good dust jacket. 1738. Ephemera. On offer is an interesting note dating from early 18th century France. The note is dated June, 1738 and begins: A la requeste d'une favour du nom procureur...[Translation: At the request of a favour in the name of prosecutor…]. The note was signed ‘Dubrelle”. Our informal research has not found any biographical information about “Dubrelle”. From research, we know that one Francoise Dumont was a lawyer in Bourges and years later was appointed as King’s attorney in the finance office of Bourges. However, we do not have conclusive proof that this is the same person. As noted above, the note bears a seal that refers to the city of Bourges. For a collector of correspondence or for a historian of this period in France, this little note would make an interesting addition to a collection. This small, 1-page note measures 7.25 inches by 4.75 inches. It is in good condition with wear marks along all edges.… Read More

London, England, 1738. ON OFFER AN AUTOGRAPHED MANUSCRIPT LETTER HANDWRITTEN AND SIGNED, DATED LONDON, MARCH 30, 1738 BY LIEUTENANT H. HOP, ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY TO ENGLAND FROM THE STATES-GENERAL. IT READS AS FOLLOWS.MY LORD, I DO MYSELF THE HONOUR TO LAY BEFORE YOUR EXCELLENCY THE COPY OF A LETTER WHICH I RECEIVED LAST NIGHT MENTIONING GREAT VIOLENCE COMMITTED TOWARD A DUTCH VESSEL THAT HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO BE CASTAWAY ON THESE COASTS. THESE ARE MY LORD CRUELTIES AND INHUMANITY UNHEARD EVEN AMONGST THE MOST BARBAROUS NATIONS; I TAKE THEREFORE THE LIBERTY TO DECLINE YOUR EXCELLENCY TO BE PLEASED TO EMPLOY HIS GOOD OFFICER THAT READY AND EFFICACIOUS ORDER MAY BE GIVEN THAT WHAT HAVE BEEN ROBBED BE RESTORED TO THE PROPRIETARY (TO THE OWNER) AND THAT THE AUTHOR OF SUCH EXCESSES AND VIOLENCE BE PUNISHED IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER TO THAT FOR THE FUTURE THOSE THAT SHALL HAVE THE MISFORTURN TO BE CAST ON THESE COASTS MAY FIND THE NECESSARY AID AND ASSISTANCE AND WHICH ONE IS TO EXPECT FROM SUCH A CHARITABLE AND… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1741. Ephemera. On offer is an excellent example of a bill of goods dating from the first half of 18th century France. The document describes the products being purchased including 40 rolls of stamp paper (quarante rolles de papier timbres) and a payment schedule for the various items. The bill is signed by Lawrence de Ploesquellec. Our informal research has not been able to find any biographical information about him. However, the family surname is from the Brittany region of France. For a historian, this bill of lading gives an accurate look at the costs of some common goods that were for sale as well as the manner in which these transactions were carried out. The document is single-side sheet measuring 11.0 inches by 6.25 inches. The page is completely full of details. It is in reasonable condition with frayed edges on 3 sides and several wrinkles. The ink has faded somewhat but the handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 11"x6.25"; 1 pages;… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1748. Ephemera. On offer is an interesting French letter of introduction bearing the seal of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, one of the great military orders of Europe. The letter introduces a M. Nicolas Louis de Puithereau. Our informal research has confirmed the existence of this family and possibly this individual in the Seine-Maritime department of France. Throughout the letter there are references to several other individuals as well. The letter ends with three flourished signatures. The handwriting is a very neat but tight and fine copperplate. Of particular interest is the seal on the upper left corner of the letter – that of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (also known as the Knights of Malta and the Knights of St. John). The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem is a medieval military order established in Jerusalem in 1099 following the First Crusade A… Read More

HINTERWALDT - BRAUBACH GERMANY. Very Good. 1749. On offer is a printed for the most part German language manumission document with manuscript entries and signed dated May 30th, 1749. This document is addressed to the honourable Deputy at Braubach regarding "Our dear and trusted Georg Wilhelm Schenk" and his release from the servitude of Johann Heinrich Broder at Hinterwaldt. Signed by K.V.S. Schwartzenaw. Research suggests that Mr. Schenk went on to a position writing reports of some import as they are still listed. Save for some light soiling and some chips to the left side this super document is overall VG.; Manuscript; Folio - over 12" - 15" tall; MANUMISSIONBRIEF, MANUMISSION, SLAVERY, FREEDOM, LIBERATION, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, DIARY, JOURNAL, DIARIES, JOURNALS, antiquité,… Read More

England. Good+. 1751. On offer is a superb, original ancient manuscript book of English origins, titled "Some Memorandums Relating to Geography and Astronomy... Of the Figure and Extent of the Earth." Dated 1751, even casual reading finds the book filled with what was then cutting edge information being a mere 23 years after Newton's Principia appeared in English. The Age of Sail, Britain's dominance of the waves spurred science in the areas of navigation, astronomy and the mathematics of Geometry all related and discussed herein. Historians and researchers of the era will undoubtedly recall this was written at the time John Harrison the English clockmaker perfected his marine chronometer. Handwritten by 'W.B.' we surmise a professor or other academic or even perhaps someone with the Admiralty or even an active command along with a student or assistant as evidenced by a different hand. Sometimes WB offers a notation of the other's writings. Here are some… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1756. Ephemera. On offer is fascinating manuscript from 1756, detailing a significant financial transaction with the document's author, Germain Pierre Blanchebarbe, the Lord of Grandbourgone, who was one of France's leading noblemen in the mid-18th century. The document describes an agreement to pay for wood provided by one Francois Blanche. An excerpt from the document follows: Nous mandons de payer a francois Blanche ... La somme de sept cent une livres trois sols neufs deniers ... Du prix de bois. [Translation: We mandate to pay to francois Blanche ... The sum of seven hundred and one livres three sols nine cents remaining ... Of the price of wood]. The price is a significant sum, equal to approximately three years ordinary wages so the amount of wood cut must have been substantial. The importance of the document is the author. Blanchebarbe was a French nobleman who also served as Grand Master of Waters and Lands of Blois under Louis XV. This was a… Read More

MANSFIELD, WINDHAM COUNTY, CONNECTICUT COLONY, 1759. On offer is an extraordinary historical document of pre-Independence America and the French and Indian War which pitted the colonies of British America against those of New France, with both sides supported by military units from their parent countries and American Indian allies. The document in question is two and a half pages, dated 1759, concerning the legal case of a man named Jesse Dimmick, of Mansfield, Windham County, Connecticut, a member of the 10th Company, Connecticut Militia, who refused to accompany the combined Expedition of British Regular and American Militia for the purpose of invading Canada during the French and Indian War. The letter is sent from “attorney to our Svrn Lord the King for sd Country” named Jedediah Elderkin to Samuel Gray, Esq. “one of his majesty’s justices for ye peace for Windham County, Conn.” The letter begins with some background to the desertion, “General Assembly of ye Coloney… Read More

LOWER CANADA QUEBEC NEW ENGLAND. Good. 1759. On offer is a superb, original historic manuscript relic and American colonial document about one of the pivotal events in North American history. Measuring about 8 inches by 6 inches, this 2 page document is made of hand laid paper and bears a mid 18th Century British watermark. The paper has some light stains but otherwise is in very good condition. The handwriting is clear and legible. Both sheets are completely filled. Written as a poem no later than 1809, the manuscript is entitled The Battle of Quebec, 1759. It was found among the colonial papers of Eliphelet Coffin. Coffin was born in Dover, NH in 1742 and farmed there all of his life. He died in 1808. He may or may not be the author of the poem. The Battle of Quebec 1759 is also known as the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. This was a pivotal battle in the Seven Years War between Britain and France, the history of North America and the history of Canada. For seven years, Britain and… Read More

Boston, Massachussets: Jacobo James Lovell Orated At Holden Chapel, Harvard, Boston. Very Good with no dust jacket. 1760. First Printing. Non-Book. On offer is the early 1760 printing of Oratio in funere viri venerabilis Henrici Flyntij [Oration at the funeral of the venerable Henry Flynt]. Written by Jacobo [James] Lovell (1737-1814) and read at Flynt’s (1675-1760) funeral, which took place at the Holden Chapel on the Harvard University campus, this special artifact appears to have been discounted from a larger publication. It was printed in Boston by Z. Fowle and S. Draper. SEE BIO NOTES ON FLYNT AND LOVELL AT THE END OF THE LISTING. Flynt was a graduate and beloved tutor at Harvard College, and Lovell was an instructor at Boston Latin School, who had graduated from Harvard. Lovell was an up-and-coming orator who would go on to be selected to give the first ever commemorative speech about the Boston Massacre in 1771. His words about Flynt are warm, comforting and deeply respectful.… Read More

PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF CHESTER, 1763. On offer is a superb, original 1763 manuscript relic of Colonial America being a handwritten legal agreement between a shopkeeper and millwright to his future tenant. Historians and collectors of legal Americana will appreciate the wonderful content: the tenant could only keep two fires in the house; in the kitchen and the other room and among other things he had to agree to take in the landlord's wife or mother! Here is a some of the transcription: "Memorandum the____ day of May 1763 made between John Gailbreath of the City of Philadel shopkeeper of the one part and Richard Hall of Springfield in the county of Chester Millwright of the other part as follows. First the----John Gailbreath herby letts his house and plantation in Springfield for one year from the date hereof to the said Richard Hall paying the rent of twenty seven pounds and if the rent is not paid at the years end to give security to pay the same in four months after which… Read More

New York. Fair with no dust jacket. 1765. Ephemera. On offer is a remarkable revolutionary-era legal document involving a man whose name became synonymous with treason and treachery in American history and culture. The lawsuit, brought by Benedict Arnold, bears direct connection to other revolutionaries including Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. The document is a legal pleading in a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court, filed in October 1765, which corresponds to the fifth and early sixth years of the reign of King George III. The lawsuit is between Benedict Arnold [see historical note below] and two men: John Mecom, the nephew of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin [see historical note below] and Benjamin Halstead (also spelled Halsted) , a well-known New York silversmith. Six months prior to the lawsuit we are discussing here, in April of 1765, Benedict Arnold sued John Mecom for a debt of 150 pounds of New York currency, owed to him for goods delivered. This lawsuit was brought… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1765. Ephemera. On offer is a lovely, handwritten legal document referencing a seigneurial holding in the northeast of France. In the mid-18th century. The document is entitled Queritur, Latin for Article. It opens with the identification of the landholding, as demonstrated in the following excerpt: Il y a une seigneurie et cour feodale appelee Westhove [ ] en la paroisse de Neuve Eglise [ ] de Bailleul. [Translation: There is a seigneury and feudal court called Westhove [ ] in the parish of Neuve Eglise [ ] de Bailleul]. The document goes on to outline certain rights of this seigneur: …aiant haute [ ] et basse justice et le seigneur a droit d' etablir un bailly. [Translation: …having a high [ ] and low justice and the Lord has the right to establish a Bailly]. The document goes on at length to discuss this. It ends with another person’s comments, noting it was delivered at Bailleul on July 1st, 1765 and signed de Baey. For a historian… Read More