Maître Christophe LUCIEN
160 - 2
-
ROGER VIOLLET AGENCY
See original version (French)
160 - 2
-
ROGER VIOLLET AGENCY
See original version (French)
Estimate €80 - €150
Voluntary lot
Description
ROGER VIOLLET AGENCY
A collection of seven photographic prints on the theme of 6 February 1934, comprising: ‘The arrival of the war veterans at the Place de la Concorde’, ‘Soldiers conscripted to quell the demonstration gathered near the Place de la Concorde’, ‘Bookshop window on fire on Boulevard St Germain’, ‘Demonstration at the Place de la Concorde’, ‘Funeral of Gali Mezzian, one of the victims’, ‘Demonstration by the Leagues, Avenue de Versailles, police charge’, ‘Funeral of Lucien Gariel at Saint-Philippe-du-Roule’.
Agency stamp and captions on the reverse.
c. 1960.
Medium format: 16x24 cm
(Slight creases, scuffs)
The evening of 6 February 1934 was one of the most serious crises of the Third Republic.
Partly as a result of the Stavisky affair, rising unemployment and the increase in petrol prices, the situation in France was extremely tense. The incumbent government resigned on 27 January and Mr Daladier was tasked with forming a new one, with a vote scheduled for 6 February.
It was against this backdrop that the right and the far right organised a major demonstration at the Place de la Concorde. The police set up a roadblock on the bridge linking the square to the Palais Bourbon.
Night falls and tensions rise. A bus is set alight, projectiles are hurled; the police, overwhelmed, charge and then open fire without any actual orders having been given. Nearly 1,500 people are injured and 20 killed that evening.
Daladier, who had secured a vote of confidence, resigned on 7 February. The Doumergue government, comprising Laval and Pétain among others, was then voted in. It remained in office from 9 February to 8 November 1934.
On 12 February, in response to that tragic evening, the Communist Party, the Socialist Party and the CGT held street demonstrations. No incidents were reported.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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