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Militaria auctions

1603 - Prefect's jacket by Emil Marchais. Made by a tailor, in khak…
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Estimate €300 - €400
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Description
Prefect's jacket by Emil Marchais. Made by a tailor, in khaki cloth. All buttons are pre-war Préfectorale style. No visible insignia. Grey silky fabric inside. This jacket, which comes from the estate of Préfet Emile Marchais, is very unusual. It is privately made and seems to have been made to compensate for the small size of the Préfet's uniform. It is undoubtedly the only 1941-style jacket used by a Préfet. There is some wear and patina to the item, as well as some moth damage. 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. It was only thanks to the landings on 6 June 1944 that they were able to survive in the carriages chartered by Émile Marchais. His successor at the Liberation, Pierre Augé, saved Emilie Marchais from the wrath of the purge. Suspended and placed on leave, 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. Prefect Émile Marchais tunic. Tailor made in khaki cloth. All buttons are of the pre-war Prefectoral pattern. No visible insignia of office. Interior lined in grey silky fabric. This tunic, originating from the estate of Prefect Émile Marchais, is highly unusual. Privately tailored, it appears to have been made as an alternative service dress for a Prefect. It is without doubt the only known 1941 pattern tunic worn by a Prefect. The piece shows honest wear and patina, together with some light moth grazing. 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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