One more Decret de la Convention Nationale… This is dated June 9, 1793. It orders that bank notes bearing the image of King Louis XVI be exchanged for those bearing the name of the Republic and emblems of Liberty and Equality. Louis was one of those who would rather have been publicly humiliated. Instead, his head was lopped off by the guillotine earlier that year. Now all remnants of his visage were to be removed. Item 23. £80 (US $128).

 

Item 31 is entitled Disputatio medica de odontalgia… by Balthasar Kisselbach, dated 1660. This is Mr. Kisselbach's dissertation, and the subject was undoubtedly as unpleasant then as it is now - toothache. He discusses its cause and cure, which in those days wouldn't have been much other than pulling the thing out. £260 (US $416).

 

Item 9 consists of some calligraphic writing samples by one Maria Garnier from 1758-59. There are prayers written in Dutch, German and French. We know nothing of Miss Garnier other than she displayed notable skills with the pen. £280 (US $448).

 

Leo Cadogan Rare Books may be reached at +44 (0) 20 7607 3190 or leo@leocadogan.com. The website is found at www.leocadogan.com.