French Notarial Manuscript Document Property Transaction

French Notarial Manuscript Document – Property Transaction, 1853

An intriguing original 19th-century French notarial manuscript documenting a financial and property-related transaction concerning the acquisition of a house and garden in the commune of Frenay, in the Meuse / Ardennes region of France.

Written entirely in elegant handwritten French cursive on laid paper, this 1853 French legal document provides a fascinating example of the formal notarial practices used to record property transactions and financial agreements in provincial France.

The manuscript refers to several parties involved in the transaction, including Édouard Élisabeth de Maillart, Baron de Landres, acting in a legal capacity within the agreement. The document records financial obligations connected with the purchase of the house and garden, together with the formal acknowledgment and approval of the transaction.

One of the most distinctive features is the original French fiscal revenue stamp, displaying the allegorical figure of Justice holding scales. The stamp reflects the taxation of official legal documents and provides additional historical interest for collectors of French fiscal and documentary material.

At the conclusion of the manuscript appears the verification notation “Écriture approuvée”, accompanied by a signature confirming approval of the written document.

Historical Context

During the 19th century, French property transactions and financial agreements were formally recorded through notarial documents. These manuscripts provide valuable evidence of local property ownership, financial arrangements, legal practices and the administrative culture of provincial France.

Dating from 1853, this document belongs to the period of the Second French Empire and offers a tangible connection to the legal and social history of the Meuse / Ardennes region.

Key Details

• Type: Original French notarial manuscript
• Date: 1853
• Region: Meuse / Ardennes, France
• Locality: Frenay
• Language: French
• Subject: Property and financial transaction involving a house and garden
• Named individual: Édouard Élisabeth de Maillart, Baron de Landres
• Material: Laid paper with handwritten ink text
• Features: Fiscal revenue stamp, signatures and approval notation
• Notation: “Écriture approuvée”
• Period: 19th century / Second French Empire

Condition

The manuscript remains in good historical condition, with original fold marks from archival storage, minor age toning and light staining.

The fiscal stamp and handwritten signatures remain clearly visible, while the paper is strong and stable.

The natural folds, ageing and minor imperfections are consistent with the document's age and historical use.

This 1853 French notarial document would be an interesting addition to collections of French historical manuscripts, 19th-century legal documents, notarial records, genealogical material, regional French history and fiscal stamp ephemera.