Antique Framed 1830 French Court Judgment: King Louis-Philippe Era Legal Manuscript

This impressive antique manuscript is a formal court judgment (Jugement) dated September 28, 1830, originating from the Civil Court of L'Argentière in the Ardèche region of southern France. Issued just months after the July Revolution, the document opens with the distinctive royal header of the new constitutional monarchy: "Louis Philippe, Roi des Français" (Louis Philippe, King of the French). The text details a commercial lawsuit brought by a goldsmith named Jean Saumelin against three local residents—Fayolle, Roustang, and Boissin—regarding an unpaid "Bill of Exchange" of 472 francs. The court's decision is severe, ordering the defendants to pay the debt "jointly and severally" under threat of "bodily constraint" (debtors' prison).

The document is notable for its two crisp "Timbre Royal" tax stamps on the left margin, featuring the allegorical figure of Justice, and its dense, legible 19th-century legal script. It is presented in a contemporary floating frame with a brass-toned metal stand, designed to let the viewer appreciate the full artifact. The double-glass construction suspends the paper, emphasizing its texture and the faint "chain lines" of the mold. The frame is easily opened, allowing the buyer to remove the manuscript for closer study or conservation. This is a fascinating piece of legal and financial history from the dawn of the "July Monarchy," perfectly preserved for display.

Measurements (approximate - rounded to the nearest quarter inch):
14.5 inches in height
11 inches in width
3 inches in depth

All sales are final so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions prior to purchase. Other objects found in the listing photos are for decorative use only and not included in this purchase.

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