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the front cover of a book with a drawing of a coat of arms on itan old book with a brown leather cover on a white backgrounda close up of a rug on a white backgrounda book with a picture of a man on ita book open on a white surface with a title in itan open book with a black and white drawing on itan open book with a picture of a man on itan old book sitting on top of a white surfacean old book sitting on top of a table next to a white wall
Hermitage Fine Art

738 - LOUIS XV, KING OF FRANCE (1715–1774)
See original version (French)

Estimate €300 - €400
Sale commission
Description
LOUIS XV, KING OF FRANCE (1715–1774) DUKE OF CHOISEUL (1719–1785) L.J.M. DE BOURBON, DUKE OF PENTHIÈVRE (1725–1793) ROYAL ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE NAVY. 25 MARCH 1765. FIRST EDITION. 1765. Paris, Royal Printing Office. M.DCCLXV. (1765) 1 bound volume in-4, xiii-344 pp. Contemporary full brown sheepskin binding. Spine slightly rubbed, lower cap worn away with a small loss of leather, a few wormholes but a good copy. First edition of this important ordinance on the Navy, commonly known as the Choiseul Ordinance. Enacted under Louis XV, this ordinance marked a major milestone in the reconstruction and strengthening of the French Navy. It was drawn up in the context of the naval reforms led by the Duke of Choiseul following the Seven Years’ War, with the aim of improving the organisation, efficiency and power of the royal fleet. Louis XV, known as ‘the Beloved’ (1710–1774) King of France and Navarre, Louis XV belonged to the House of Bourbon and reigned over the Kingdom of France from 1715 until his death. To administer the state, he surrounded himself with several Secretaries of State and ministers, relied on various Councils and drew upon a select circle of senior civil servants. Among them, Choiseul held a particularly important position. Étienne-François de Choiseul-Beaupré-Stainville A French statesman, he was the head of Louis XV’s government between 1758 and 1770, and Secretary of State for the Navy (1761–1766). Choiseul vigorously reformed the army and the navy. One of the first measures of this programme of reform was the ordinance of 10 December 1762, which reorganised the infantry. Louis-Jean-Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre Grand Admiral of France, Grand Huntsman of France and Governor of Brittany; these offices conferred upon him a high rank at court, even though his military career was limited – he took part, notably, in the campaigns of Dunkirk and Fontenoy, before gradually turning his back on military life. Germain Pierre Blanchebarbe de Granbourg (18th century) French nobleman, adviser to the King and ordinary master at the Chamber of Accounts in Paris. At the buyer’s request, we shall be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a full assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
See original version (French)
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About the sale RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS: Antique books § Autographs, rare editions, photographs § Works on paper
Auction location
Auction time 10/29/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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