A rare Revolutionary-era educational catechism for elementary school pupils, designed to inculcate a semi-religious sense of revolutionary values.more...
It was first published in 1794 and several times reprinted. This rare edition is significant as an imprint (the second of two) issued by Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours, styled ‘imprimeur-libraire’ here. Soon after publication Du Pont’s house was sacked by a mob during the 18 Fructidor V coup. He emigrated to the United States in 1799 hoping to establish a model community of exiles, and fostered his connections with statesmen such as Jefferson. Progenitor of one of America’s most successful and wealthiest business dynasties, he died in America in 1817,
The pupil is asked:
‘Qui êtes-vous? ...Homme libre, français, républicain par choix...’
Sole edition of this bibliographical catalogue of 210 printed works issued at the time of the Estates General of 1614-15, comprising official documents, memoirs, counsels, petitions, harangues, discussions of the death of Henry IV, arrêts du Parlement, pasquinades and satires.more...
Each entry includes a line or two of commentary. An advisory body representing the three estates in France, the Estates General had met periodically from the middle ages to 1614, which proved to be its last assembly for over 150 years. As France headed towards revolution, the Estates General was summoned as a desperate measure in May 1789 on the model of the 1615 assembly—doubtless the occasion of this rare little bibliography..see full details
