Printed local government declaration dated 1697

This very old and large declaration would have been stuck up on a public noticeboard or on the town hall wall to inform everyone local of this decision. Quite what the decision is I cannot work out - the title says it is a revision for fires for the province of Dauphiné, which is now part of present-day Auvergne. But a closer reading of the paper gives the impression that the word ‘feux’ - fires - in the title, had a different meaning 330 years ago - because the body of the document speaks about the collection of funds from various members and owners in the community of Valence, a town in the Auvergne.

This would be rag paper, rather than wood fibre paper. It has the large stamp of the local department at the top, plus a fainter, more delicate stamp on the slightly foxed left corner. It has been signed by four people, two with beautiful handwriting and two a little more brusque.

It measures 32.5x44cm and would look very beautiful framed.

Please click on the photos to open them up full-sized.

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