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Louis XVI, with print of the guillotine...



Item # 558444

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THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1793  This issue contains the "Minutes of the Proceedings of the National Convention of France" which takes 4 pages with considerable detail on the trial of Louis XVI and includes a subhead: "The Final Judgment of Louis XVI" which has text which includes: "...Is Louis guilty?...I hereby declare that the National Convention has found Louis Capet guilty of a conspiracy against the liberty of the Nation, and the safety of the state..." with much talk on what they should do with him including the votes of various individuals (see).
Ultimately they report: "...I vote for Death! Ah! could we but as easily dispose of all Tyrants!...the president took off his hat, and, lowering his voice, said 'In consequence of this, I declare, that the punishment, pronounced by the National Convention against Louis Capet, is Death!" followed by more discussion. This text is continued in a future issue.
Most intriguing is a print of the new "...instrument by which the unfortunate king of France lately suffered..." being the guillotine, with some details as to how it works (see photos). This is the only period engraving of the guillotine I have seen in periodical.
This issue has much other news of the day but it pales in comparison to the reporting on Louis XVI and the print of the guillotine.
Complete in 96 pages with full title/contents page, and still contains three of the four plates called for (see). Measures 5 by 8 inches, in very nice condition. This periodical was the first ever to use the word "magazine" in its title.

Category: The 1600's and 1700's