1402 - Uniform of Prefect Emile Marchais. Model conforming to the 1941 regulations, consisting of a black cloth cap embroidered with two rows of oak leaves on the band, corresponding to the rank of Prefect. Gold chinstrap with two pre-war buttons. Front insignia specific to Prefects of the Vichy regime, depicting a stylized Francisque surrounded by oak leaves. No tailor’s mark. This headgear is contained in its original shipping box, manufactured by Chapeaux Mossant, with some tape repairs around the edge of the box. A black wool uniform jacket; all the buttons featuring the Francisque are present. Prefect’s gold-embroidered shoulder tabs. Legion of Honor ribbon is from a later period, as Emile Marchais received it on April 18, 1953. Lining in black silky fabric, with a label from the tailor Daroque in Paris. A return label in the left inner pocket, bearing the name “Marchais.” A pair of black wool trousers with black woven piping in accordance with the 1941 regulations. Traces of discoloration and moth damage in the crotch area. A few snags and some moth-eaten areas on the jacket. Note some wear and patina on the pieces. Condition II+. Émile Marchais was born in Haute-Vienne on November 9, 1899. After studying law, he began his career as a senior civil servant in the office of the prefect of the Ardennes, then went on to serve in Blois, Châteaudun, and Langres. He was appointed by the Vichy government as subprefect of Alès and later of Montluçon. In September 1943, he was appointed prefect of the Aude department. Although not as zealous as his predecessor, he did not attempt to halt the punitive operations carried out by the Milice. In May 1944, he complied with the order from Joseph Darnand, Secretary General for Law and Order, to arrest Spanish Republicans and French and foreign Jews. These individuals owed their survival to the train cars chartered by Émile Marchais only because of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. His successor after the Liberation, Pierre Auge, saved Émile 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, which was occupied by French troops. On July 1, 1946, he was retired. He died in 1958. 1941-pattern prefect’s uniform belonging to Émile Marchais, including cap, jacket, and trousers, with extensive historical provenance and signs of wear.