Description:

JEAN-SYLVAIN BAILLY
(1736-1793) French scientist and renowned astronomer who turned to politics, presiding over the Tennis Court Oath of 1789 and becoming the first mayor of Paris. A latent monarchist, he was guillotined during the Terror. Partly-printed D.S. ‘J. S. Bailly', 1p. 4to., Nantes, Oct. 22, 1792, a ‘Certificate of Residence' for Bailly established by the Municipality of Nantes, prior to his settling there in November, 1792. Boldly signed at conclusion by Bailly as well as MATHIEU GUILLAME THERESE VILLENAVE (1762-1846), French clergyman turned Revolutionary lawyer and a close friend of Bailly. In July 1793, after the siege of Nantes, Villenave accompanied Bailly part of the way to Melun, where he hoped (in vain) to find safety with his fellow astronomer Pierre-Simon Laplace. Also signed JEAN-PIERRE DELAHAYE (1757-1819), French lawyer who is best remembered as business partner of the painter Jacques-Louis David; and others. Bailly fled Paris in Nov. 1792, having become extremely unpopular after ordering attacks on crowds that resulted in the Champs des Mars Massacres. He was found and arrested in Nantes, brought back to face the Revolutionary Tribunal in Paris and guillotined. According to one source: ‘The little red flag he had used to give the order to fire on the crowds on the Champs de Mars was tied to the cart that took him to his death, and burned in front of him before he was executed'. A fold tear at right edge, affecting nothing, light marginal wear, very good.

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January 18, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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