France

Letter from ECOUIS (Eure) for PARIS, dated 1st Prairial Year 11 (i.e. May 21, 1803) Linear postal mark with number: 26 / ECOUIS, black in color.

Authentic handwritten administrative letter from the French Revolution, dated 11 Thermidor Year II (July 29, 1794), sent by Municipality of Montferme (revolutionary name of Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey) and addressed to municipal officers of Pont-d’Ain. This official document is written only two days after the fall of Robespierre (9 Thermidor Year II), during the first days of the Thermidorian period. It constitutes an exceptional testimony to the functioning of local administrations at a pivotal period of the French Revolution. Its date is particularly remarkable since it is written 11 Thermidor Year II (July 29, 1794), only two days after the fall of Robespierre, a major event which marked the beginning of the Thermidorian Reaction. The change of name of Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey in “Montferme” a.

This mark corresponds to a Directorate of the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse, used during revolutionary campaigns. The Army of Sambre-et-Meuse was created in 1794 and played a major role in the operations carried out on the Rhine. The author informs the administrators that he arrived several days ago and that he is carrying out the functions entrusted to him by the Committee of Public Safety. This piece is particularly interesting because it illustrates the French administrative organization in the occupied Rhine territories after the revolutionary campaigns. Prephilately – French Revolution – Army of Sambre-et-Meuse – Bonn – Army of the Rhine – Disbursement – Reinhardt – Military marcophilia – Postal history – French Republic – Committee of Public Safety – Year IV – Military letter – French O.