Mercure de France

5R Dedicated to the King Mars 1765, Paris. Louis XVI binding.

Notes

Mercure de France was a prominent French literary and cultural magazine founded in 1672. Initially launched as a journal focused on news, politics, and events, it gradually evolved into a critical and intellectual platform during the 18th century. The magazine played a key role in the French Enlightenment, serving as a space where ideas on philosophy, literature, and society could be exchanged and debated. It featured contributions from some of the most important thinkers and writers of the time, including Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. The Mercure de France was instrumental in promoting French literature and artistic movements, becoming a vehicle for the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas and for literary criticism.

Throughout its long history, Mercure de France maintained a reputation for intellectual rigor and cultural sophistication. The publication was not only a source for the latest literary works but also an influential critic of contemporary society, with essays addressing topics such as social reform, individual rights, and the role of art in society. By the 18th century, it had established itself as a key player in the cultural life of France, helping to shape public discourse and promote the spread of new ideas. The magazine continued to publish throughout the 19th century and is now considered a significant part of France's literary and intellectual heritage.

Louis XVI was the King of France from 1774 until his deposition in 1792 during the French Revolution. Born in 1754, he ascended to the throne at the age of 20, inheriting a kingdom in financial crisis due to years of war, including France's involvement in the American Revolution. His reign saw escalating discontent among the French people, exacerbated by lavish royal spending, widespread poverty, and a system of taxation that burdened the lower classes. Louis' inability to reform the French economy and political system led to growing unrest, and in 1789, the French Revolution erupted.

Louis XVI is also known for being the husband of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, who became infamous for her extravagant lifestyle during a time of economic hardship. Despite his sincere attempts to rule, Louis was seen as weak and indecisive, and he struggled to manage the political and social upheaval that marked his reign. As the revolution intensified, he was arrested with his family and put on trial for treason. In January 1793, he was convicted and executed by guillotine, marking a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy. His death symbolized the end of absolute monarchy in France and the rise of the French Republic.

Description

Red leather binding with gilt embossed crest of Louis XVI on the upper and lower boards. gilt boarders to both boards as well. Five raised bands with gilt lettering and details in each compartment. All edges gilt. Gold and white endpapers. Gilt embossed turn ins. General browning with scuffing to the upper and lower boards. Minor bumping to the corners and rubbing to the extremities. Fine condition overall.