LOUIS XVI: (1754-1793)

LOUIS XVI: (1754-1793) King of France and Navarre 1774-1791, King of the French 1791-92. The only King of France to have been executed. An 8vo hardback edition of the Defense de Louis, Prononcee a la Barre de la Convention Nationale, Le Mercredi 26 Decembre 1792…..Par le Citoyen Deseze…. ('The Defence of Louis XVI as Delivered at the Bar of the National Convention, Wednesday, 26th December 1792…..by Citizen Deseze….'), L'Imprimerie Nationale, by order of the Convention, Paris, 1792. With several pages of engravings and autograph letters etc. tipped into the binding following the front free endpapers including King Louis XVI fragment of an autograph note, unsigned, one page, 12mo, n.p., n.d., in French, being an order for a number of gold locks to be made for several chests, in part, '2 in the private cabinet, 1 between the black cabinet and the corridor to the dining room, 1 between the black cabinet and the jewellery cabinet, 1 between the jewellery cabinet and the private cabinet, 1 between the jewellery cabinet and the library…..there are only three copies, there still must be some in Paris'; Raymond Deseze (1750-1828) French Advocate who defended King Louis XVI when brought before the Convention for trial. A.L.S., Deseze, three pages, 8vo, Brevannes, n.d. ('Le lundi matin'), thanking his correspondent for the information supplied to him and remarking that he 'was right in thinking that I did not read a consultation….I don't even remember very well the evidence I could have had under my eyes and the way I made use of it', further referring to a lawyer in Brussels and a report which should be sent by courier; Francois Denis Tronchet (1726-1806) French Jurist who, alongside Deseze and Malesherbes, defended King Louis XVI when brought before the Convention for trial. A.L., unsigned, in the third person (his name Le Senateur TRONCHET printed at the beginning of the text), one page, small 8vo, Paris, 19 Vendimiaire year 12 of the Republic, to Monsieur Du Poirier, seeking a meeting with his correspondent regarding an urgent matter and suggesting 6pm and, if possible, dinner with his friend. With integral address leaf in Tronchet's hand (small area of paper loss to one corner caused by the original breaking of the seal); Guillaume-Chretien de Lamoignon de Malesherbes (1721-1794) French Statesman and Minister who, alongside Deseze and Tronchet, defended King Louis XVI when brought before the Convention for trial. A.L., unsigned, one page, 8vo, (place indecipherable), 29th October 1775, to a gentleman, in French, forwarding a response he has received and referring to various individuals and a court case. Attractively bound in half-morocco, with raised bands to spine and small gilt stamped title, mottled boards and marbled pastedowns and endpapers. A rare, unusual grouping and presentation related to one of the most important events in French history. Some light age wear, minor foxing in places and a few light stains to some pages, G