Description:

POTIER FAMILY ARCHIVE - THE DOWNFALL OF A FRENCH ARISTOCRATIC FAMILY
An enormous archive of documents from the prestigious French Potier Family covering the years 1557 to 1798. The Potiers brought France some of its finest statesmen, military officers and clergymen, only to have all of its assets stripped by the French government with the final indignity at the hands of revolutionaries who beheaded the last Duc de Gesvres and auctioned off the family's household possessions. The most notable signed documents in the archive include: MARIE DE MEDICIS Manuscript D.S., 11pp. sm. folio, [Paris?], 1612, untranslated, also signed by her council members: NICHOLAS POTIER, JEHAN PHELYPEAUX, ISAAC ARNAULD, FLORENT D'ARGOUGES and LOUIS DOLLE, toned at one margin and slightly foxed; LOUIS XIII , D.S. "Louis" as King, 1p. sm. folio, Apr. 12, 1615, untranslated, co-signed by LOUIS POTIER as Secretary of State. Some soiling, small tear at top; JEAN BAPTISTE COLBERT D.S. 2pp. sm. folio, 1670, ordering a delay on the collection of debts owed by Rene Potier, toned on the verso; and LOUIS XIV D.S. as King, 1p. oblong sm. folio, 1679, ordering a delay in the collection of debts owed by the Duc de Gesvres, co-signed by JEAN BAPTISTE COLBERT, wrinkled. Potier Family documents include: FRANCOISE POTIER Wife of Secretary of State Jacques Potier, two documents; NICHOLAS POTIER (1541-1635) Seigneur de Blancmesnil , signed contract and signed document, 1588; RENEE DE FRESMES. D.S., 1646, FRANCOISE POTIER (sister of Nicholas and Louis), two Ds.S.; NICOLAS POTIER (Chancellor of France) and LOUIS POTIER (Secretary of State), with Rene, Bernard and Antoine Potier, sons of Louis, D.S., 1605; LOUIS POTIER (d. 1630) Count de Fresnes. Secretary of State, Secretary of Finances, Secretary to the King, Secretary of Council. Six Ds.S.; ANDRE POTIER President of Parliament and RENE POTIER President of the Chambre des Enquetes, 13 Ds.S., 1606-1652; RENE POTIER with his wife MARGUERITE DE LUXEMBOURG, one D.S.; BERNARD POTIER three D.Ss.; NICOLAS POTIER, Seigneur de Novion, President of Parliament, six Ds.S., LOUIS POTIER, Marquis de Gesvres, one letter; LEON PORTIER (1620-1704), Marquis de Gesvres, military officer and Governor of Paris, 14 signed letters and documents, with a medal with the Potier coat of arms; ANDRE POTIER (1658-1731), Chevalier de Novion and Premier President of Parliament, two Ds.S.; FRANCOIS BERNARD POTIER (1655-1739) Marquis de Gasvres, Duc de Fresmes, at siege of Maestricht, Governor of Paris, Chavalier of the Orders of the King, five Ds.S.; LEON PORTIER (1656-1744) Archbishop of Bourges, Cardinal, three signed documents and letters; FRANCOIS JAOCHIM BERNARD POTIER, eight Ls.S. and Ds.S; LOUIS JOACHIM PARIS POTIER(1733-1794), military officer, guillotined during the Revolution, eight Ls.S. and Ds.S., along with several dozen documents and imprints witnesssing the confiscation and sale of the family's property, the chateau at St. Ouen, and the liquidation of their remaining assets on the order of the French Republic. Also included are period engravings of many of the signatories, images of their tombs, period imprints, related documents, and some items signed by more obscure family members. All of the documents are tipped into a ca. 1900 album and are generally in very good condition. Also present is a second volume with approx. 200pp. of unbound notes, most in French, apparently genealogical research on the family.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. NOTE: large, heavy or bulky items are not shipped by the auctioneer. Client is responsible for arranging shipping for these pieces. Please see "Bidding Procedures" for contact information of recommended shippers. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

July 22, 2011 11:30 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000