Antique Framed 1788 French Legal Manuscript: A Court Judgment from the Eve of the Revolution

This exceptional antique document is a piece of living history from the final days of the Ancien Régime. Dated September 1, 1788, this formal court judgment originates from the Civil and Criminal Court of the County of Pont-de-Veyle (in the historic Bresse region). The manuscript details a lawsuit between Jean Deplanche and a widow named Jeanne Dagallier (Veuve Ballafier). Written just months before the outbreak of the French Revolution, the text records a default judgment against the widow for failing to appear in court. Of special interest is the handwritten receipt on the reverse side, dated October 27, 1788, documenting that the widow had begun paying "eight livres" toward the legal costs—a tangible connection to the everyday financial struggles of the era.

The document is penned on a folded booklet of high-quality, handmade laid paper with deckled edges. It features a crisp, circular royal tax stamp from the "Généralité de Bourg" at the header, a highly collectible philatelic marking. The manuscript is presented in a modern, minimal floating frame with a brass-toned metal stand. The double-glass design suspends the artifact, allowing you to view both the calligraphy on the front and the fascinating accounting notes on the back. The frame is designed to be easily opened, giving you the option to remove the document to appreciate the texture of the 230-year-old paper. This is a rare and beautiful display piece for any lover of legal history or 18th-century French culture.

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.

VINTAGE & ANTIQUE
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SHIPPING
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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