Divers contributeurs et illustrateurs - L'autographe - 1864-1865

4 volumes in Omblong format, 408; 103; 208; 208 pages - Exterior wear, interior fresh - Pleasant copy.

L'Autographe is a French review devoted to autograph manuscripts, unpublished letters, historical documents and bibliophily, published in Paris between 1863 and 1872. It is one of the most important periodicals of the 19th century in the field of autographs and historical sources.

Bibliographic record
Title: L'Autographe: bi-monthly review
Place of publication: Paris
Publication period:
1st series: December 5, 1863 – November 25, 1865
New series: September 2, 1871 – August 24, 1872
Periodicity:
bimonthly (1863-1865);
weekly (1871-1872).
Directors:
Hippolyte de Villemessant, founder of Le Figaro;
Gustave Bourdin.
Scientific collaborator:
Alexandre Pothey.
Content

Each issue includes:

fac-similes of autograph letters by famous figures;
unpublished manuscripts;
biographical and historical notes;
commentaries on autograph collections;
literary, historical and artistic studies.

One finds letters from sovereigns, military leaders, statesmen, writers, scholars and artists, often accompanied by a transcription and historical contextualization.

Historical importance

The journal played a major role in the development of autograph bibliophily in France. At a time when private collections were particularly rich, it helped disseminate documents often unpublished and encouraged the critical study of manuscripts.

The series published after 1870 is particularly interesting for researchers: it contains numerous documents relating to the Franco-Prussian War, the siege of Paris and events of 1870-1871, under the complementary title L'Autographe: événements de 1870-1871.

Interest for historians

Today, L'Autographe remains a valuable source for the study of the French Revolution, the Empire, the Restoration and the 19th century. Many letters reproduced there came from private collections; some have since changed owners or are no longer easily accessible.

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4 volumes in Omblong format, 408; 103; 208; 208 pages—Exterior shows wear, interior is in good condition—A pleasant copy.

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L'Autographe is an illustrated journal devoted to manuscripts, autographs, historical documents, and facsimiles of famous writings, published in Paris from 1863 to 1872. It is one of the most original bibliophilic periodicals of the Second Empire and the early Third Republic.

Details
Full title: L'Autographe: a bimonthly journal.
Place of publication: Paris.
Period: first series from December 5, 1863, to November 25, 1865; resumed after the war of 1870 with a new series from 1871 to 1872.
Editors: Hippolyte de Villemessant, founder of Le Figaro, and Gustave Bourdin. The scholar Alexandre Pothey also contributed to its scholarly content.
Content

Each issue featured:

facsimile reproductions of autograph letters from famous figures;
bio graphical and historical notes on their authors;
essays on literature, history, and the arts;
unpublished documents from public or private collections.

The journal published autographs by writers, statesmen, military figures, scholars, and artists, introducing the public to the historical and aesthetic value of manuscripts. It thus contributed to the development of autograph collecting as a bibliophilic discipline.

A Testament to Its Era

After the hiatus caused by the Franco-Prussian War, L'Autographe reappeared in 1871, devoting significant coverage to the events of 1870–1871 and publishing documents related to the siege of Paris, the war, and the major political and military figures.

Historical Significance

Today, L'Autographe remains a valuable source for historians of literature, the Revolution, the Empire, and the 19th century. It reproduces numerous manuscripts that were then held in private collections, some of which have since changed hands or disappeared.