Napoléon 1er - Code Civil des Français - 1804

Code Civil des Français – Didot – An XII / 1804 – 2 volumes in 1 volume

Ancient edition of the Civil Code of the French, published in Paris in Year XII – 1804, the very year of its promulgation under the Consulate of Napoleon Bonaparte.

This stereotyping edition was produced according to the Firmin Didot process, by the Printing and Stereotype Foundry of Pierre Didot the elder and Firmin Didot.

The two volumes are bound together in a single volume, each retaining its own title page.

Full title:

Code civil des Français, dans une seule série de numéros, conformément à la loi du 30 ventôse an XII, comprenant 2281 articles ; suivi du Tableau des distances de Paris aux chefs-lieux des départements, arrêté par le Gouvernement le 25 thermidor an XI, et d’une table raisonnée des matières.

Paris, de l’Imprimerie et de la Fonderie stéréotypes de Pierre Didot l’aîné et de Firmin Didot, an XII – 1804.

Collation et caractéristiques

* Deux tomes réunis en un volume
* Tome premier : 132 pages
* Tome second : 558 pages
* Pagination totale : 690 pages
* Dimensions : environ 14 × 8,5 cm
* Langue : français
* 2 281 articles
* Édition stéréotype d’après le procédé de Firmin Didot
* Reliure d’époque en plein cuir brun
* Dos à nerfs orné de roulettes et fleurons dorés
* Pièce de titre rouge portant la mention dorée « Code civil »
* Gardes en papier marbré polychrome
* Format compact

Contenu

The work gathers the 2,281 articles of the Civil Code in a continuous numbering and includes notably:

* The preliminary title relating to the publication, effects and application of laws
* Book One: Of persons
* Book Two: Of property and various modifications of ownership
* Book Three: Of the different ways of acquiring ownership
* Marriage and divorce
* Filiation and adoption
* Paternal power
* Minority, guardianship and emancipation
* Movable and immovable property
* Usufruct, use and habitation
* Successions and donations
* Contracts and obligations
* Matrimonial regimes
* Sale, exchange and lease
* Hypothecs
* Prescription
* Transitional laws
* The table of distances from Paris to the capitals of the departments
* A table of contents organized by subject

The last article of the Code is followed by the printed inscription:

“Signed Bonaparte, First Consul,” with the names of Hugues-Bernard Maret, Secretary of State, and Régnier, Grand Judge and Minister of Justice.

These names and signatures are printed in the text and do not constitute autograph signatures.

Historical significance

This edition holds particular historical interest since it was printed in 1804, the year of the promulgation of the Civil Code by the law of 30 ventôse an XII, corresponding to March 21, 1804.

Drafted under the Consulate, the Civil Code is one of the foundational texts of modern French law. It would later be commonly referred to as the Napoleonic Code.

State of conservation

Copy in its period binding, showing substantial patina and signs of use corresponding to more than two centuries of existence.

The binding is heavily worn and abraded, with epidermures, losses of leather, worn corners and damaged headbands. Nevertheless, the spine preserves its gilded ornaments and its red title piece.

The hinges, cords and fittings of the binding show fragilities. The covers bear several abrasions and small losses. The edges are browned and irregular.

Inside: aged yellowed paper, foxing, stains, smudges and handling marks. Some leaves show folds, slight deformations or marginal wear. The text remains legible. The title pages of both volumes as well as the handsome marbled endpapers are preserved.

Photographs are part of the description. The work is sold in its current old condition.

Rare legal and historical testimony of the Napoleonic period, particularly interesting to collectors of old books, history of law and memories related to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Careful packaging and shipment with tracking.