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1602 - Uniform of Préfet Emile Marchais. Model based on 1941 regula…
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Estimate €3,000 - €3,500
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Description
Uniform of Préfet Emile Marchais. Model based on 1941 regulations, comprising a black cloth cap, embroidered with two rows of oak leaves on the headband, corresponding to the rank of Prefect. Gold chinstrap with two pre-war buttons. Front badge specific to Vichy regime Prefects, depicting a stylised Francisque surrounded by oak leaves. No indication of tailor. This headdress is contained in its original transport box, made by Chapeaux Mossant, with some tape repairs around the edge of the box. A uniform jacket in black cloth, all buttons with francisque are present. Gold embroidered Prefect's shoulder tabs. The Legion of Honour ribbon was awarded after the period, as Emile Marchais was awarded it on 18 April 1953. Inside in black silky fabric, label of the tailor Daroque in Paris. Recovered label in the inside left pocket, with Marchais's name. A pair of trousers in black cloth, black woven braids with 1941 regulations. Traces of fading and moth damage to the crotch. Some tears and moth damage to the jacket. Some wear and patina. Condition II+. Émile Marchais was born in Haute-Vienne on 9 November 1899. After studying law, he began his career as a senior civil servant in the office of the Prefect of the Ardennes, before moving on to Blois, Chateaudun and Langres. Under the Vichy government, he was appointed sub-prefect of Alés and then Montluçon. In September 1943, he was appointed Prefect of Aude. Although not as zealous as his predecessor, he did not try to stop the Milice's punitive operations. In May 1944, he complied with Joseph Darnand's instructions to arrest Spanish republicans and French and foreign Jews. They owed their survival to the wagons chartered by Émile Marchais only thanks to the landings on 6 June 1944. His successor at the Liberation, Pierre Augé, saved Emilie Marchais from the wrath of the purge. Suspended and placed on probation, he was promoted to Secretary General of the Saar Government, in Baden-Württemberg, occupied by French troops. On 1 July 1946, he was retired. He died in 1958. Uniform of Prefect Émile Marchais. Regulation model of 1941 comprising a black cloth visor cap embroidered with two rows of oak leaves on the band, corresponding to the rank of Prefect. Gilt chinstrap with two pre-war buttons. Front insignia specific to Vichy regime prefects, depicting a stylised Francisque surrounded by oak leaves. No tailor's mark visible. The cap is housed in its original transport box by Chapeaux Mossant, with several period adhesive tape repairs around the edges. One black cloth uniform tunic with all Francisque buttons present. Gold embroidered Prefect shoulder boards. Ribbon bar of the Légion d'Honneur added after the wartime period, Émile Marchais having received the decoration on 18 April 1953. Interior lined in black silky fabric, tailor's label Daroque of Paris. Reissue label inside the left inner pocket bearing the name Marchais. One pair of black cloth trousers with black woven stripes according to the 1941 regulation. Traces of fading and moth damage at the crotch area. Some snags and light moth grazing on the tunic. Overall showing honest wear and patina. Condition II+. Émile Marchais was born in Haute-Vienne on 9 November 1899. After studying law, he began his senior civil service career in the office of the Prefect of the Ardennes, later serving in Blois, Châteaudun and Langres. Under the Vichy government he was appointed Sub-Prefect of Alès and then Montluçon. In September 1943 he became Prefect of the Aude département. Although less zealous than his predecessor, he nevertheless did not attempt to obstruct the punitive operations of the Milice. In May 1944 he complied with the orders of Joseph Darnand, Secretary General for the Maintenance of Order, to arrest Spanish Republicans and French and foreign Jews. Their survival from deportation was only ensured by the Allied landings of 6 June 1944. After the Liberation, his successor Pierre Augé shielded Émile Marchais from severe purge measures. Suspended and placed on inactive status, he was later promoted to Secretary General of the Government of the Saar in French occupied Baden-Württemberg. Retired on 1 July 1946, he died in 1958.
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About the sale MILITARIA :The Arms of France - Military memorabilia, Commandos Kieffer, and Insignia
Auction location
Auction time 06/14/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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