Discours du Roi.
"The Citizen King," Louis Philippe I (1773-1850) was the second to last French monarch and served as King of France from 1830 to 1848; his eldest son Ferdinand Philippe (1810-42) tied at age 31 when flung from the open carriage he was driving. Item #52512
Printed handbill (entirely in French) titled "Discours du Roi" (Speech of the King), 5½" X 7½", n.p., 26 July 1842. Very good. Bright and nice, with mildest of wear only, light original folds and no age toning or foxing. Royal crest at top and below it the subtitle "Royal Session of July 26, 1842." The monarch addresses the tragedy that struck his family and ultimately helped erode popular support, ending in the February 1848 Revolution and his abdication. Ferdinand Philippe died on July 13 and was buried on July 16; ten days later this text was published. Addressing "Gentlemen, Peers, Deputies," the text reads (in translation): "In the grief that overwhelms me, deprived of this beloved son whom I had destined to replace me on the throne, and who was the glory and consolation of my younger days, I felt the need to hasten the moment of your gathering around me. We have together a great duty to fulfill. When it pleases God to call me to Him, France, the constitutional Monarchy, must not for a moment be exposed to an interruption in the exercise of royal authority. You will therefore have to deliberate on the measures necessary to prevent, during the minority of my beloved grandson, this immense danger. The blow that has struck me does not make me ungrateful to providence, which still preserves for me children so worthy of all my affection and of the confidence of France. Gentlemen, let us ensure today the peace and security of our country. Later I will call upon you to resume, in matters of state, the usual course of your work." With the sudden death of the next in line for the throne, Louis Philippe was understandably anxious that the line of succession not be questioned, since his grandson Prince Philippe (eldest of Ferdinand Philippe's two children) was only four years old at the time. Louis Philippe did name this grandson his successor on February 24, 1848, but it was disputed. The National Assembly refused to recognize him as king and his "reign" lasted only until February 26, when the Second Republic was proclaimed. This handbill is an exceptional example and a surprising survivor, as well as a touching illustration of the king's fatherly piety toward his firstborn.
Price: $195.00