Item Overview: Available for your collection is an authentic, 316-year-old French financial manuscript. This document serves as a "Promesse de Payer" (Promissory Note) and a detailed accounting of debts, finalized in the town of Aurillac on July 23, 1710.
Historical Context: This piece dates to the twilight years of the reign of King Louis XIV (The Sun King). During this period, France was embroiled in the War of the Spanish Succession, and the national economy was under immense strain. Private promissory notes like this were the "lifeblood" of local commerce, as official coinage was often scarce or devalued.
Key Features:
Dates: Primary date of 1710, with internal references to transactions from 1701 and 1702.
Location: Originates from Aurillac, the historical capital of the Haute-Auvergne.
Content: A detailed list of "Dost" (Debts) including purchases of tools and household items (knives), providing a rare glimpse into the cost of living in the early 18th century.
Signature: Features a bold, ornate signature by a "Monsieur Martin" with a classic 18th-century "paraph" (the intricate flourish under the name used to prevent forgery).
Material: Hand-laid rag paper with visible chain lines and folding creases consistent with 18th-century postal/legal storage.
Condition: The document is in remarkable condition for its age. The ink remains dark and legible. There is expected edge wear and original fold lines, which adds to its authentic character. (See photos for details).
Why This is Interesting: Beyond its age, this document is a "cross-section" of time. It shows a decade-long financial relationship between two individuals during one of the most volatile periods in French history. The back of the document features a large "X" cancellation mark, signifying the moment this long-standing debt was finally settled—a tangible piece of 300-year-old closure.
Item Overview: Available for your collection is an authentic, 316-year-old French financial manuscript. This document serves as a "Promesse de Payer" (Promissory Note) and a detailed accounting of debts, finalized in the town of Aurillac on July 23, 1710.
Historical Context: This piece dates to the twilight years of the reign of King Louis XIV (The Sun King). During this period, France was embroiled in the War of the Spanish Succession, and the national economy was under immense strain. Private promissory notes like this were the "lifeblood" of local commerce, as official coinage was often scarce or devalued.
Key Features:
Dates: Primary date of 1710, with internal references to transactions from 1701 and 1702.
Location: Originates from Aurillac, the historical capital of the Haute-Auvergne.
Content: A detailed list of "Dost" (Debts) including purchases of tools and household items (knives), providing a rare glimpse into the cost of living in the early 18th century.
Signature: Features a bold, ornate signature by a "Monsieur Martin" with a classic 18th-century "paraph" (the intricate flourish under the name used to prevent forgery).
Material: Hand-laid rag paper with visible chain lines and folding creases consistent with 18th-century postal/legal storage.
Condition: The document is in remarkable condition for its age. The ink remains dark and legible. There is expected edge wear and original fold lines, which adds to its authentic character. (See photos for details).
Why This is Interesting: Beyond its age, this document is a "cross-section" of time. It shows a decade-long financial relationship between two individuals during one of the most volatile periods in French history. The back of the document features a large "X" cancellation mark, signifying the moment this long-standing debt was finally settled—a tangible piece of 300-year-old closure.
