60 - Émile LOUBET (1838–1929), President of the Republic.

Émile LOUBET (1838–1929), President of the Republic. Lot comprising illustrated programs for presidential banquets and concerts, some of which were distributed during Emperor Nicholas II’s visit to France in 1902 as part of the Franco-Russian Alliance: - a presidential menu cover illustrated by Giraldon, printed in gray-green, featuring a pattern of RF monograms framed by rooster-head ornaments, with Émile LOUBET’s monogram and the date in gold relief within the cartouches, H. 30.5 x W. 24 cm; - a program for the musical evening held aboard the battleship “Montcalm” in May 1902, with a frame and cover illustrated by Adrien Karbowsky (1855–1945), in pencil, watercolor, and gold gouache on heavy paper, paper bearing the seal of President Émile Loubet, H. 27 x W. 20 cm; - a menu from the table of honor hosted by the President for the imperial couple at a banquet aboard the battleship “Montcalm” in May 1902, the menu engraved on copper and printed in intaglio, the cover illustrated with an allegorical scene depicting two women representing the French Republic and Russia, flanking a coat of arms bearing the Russian and French crests, pencil, watercolor, and black ink on heavy paper, monogrammed “JPL” for Jean-Paul Laurens in the lower right corner, H. 30 x W. 23.5 cm (paper partially discolored); - a presidential menu for a luncheon on December 1, 1901, at the Château de Compiègne, held as part of the Franco-Russian Alliance; the menu is engraved on copper and printed in intaglio, surmounted by Émile Loubet’s monogram, the cover centered with the coat of arms of the Russian Empire, framed by polychrome floral garlands, monogrammed “RF” on either side, surmounted by a view of the Château de Compiègne, pencil and watercolor on heavy paper, signed lower right “Eugène Morand” by the painter Eugène Morand (1853–1930), H. 27.5 x W. 17.5 cm; - a menu from the banquet hosted by President Émile Loubet in Toulon on April 10, 1901, as part of the Italian naval squadron’s visit to Toulon from April 7 to 10, the menu engraved on copper and printed in intaglio; the cover is illustrated with an allegorical scene depicting two women representing the French Republic and Italy gazing out over the Bay of Toulon, framed by a decorative border of classical motifs inspired by Michelangelo’s *Slaves*, housed at the Louvre; ink and ink wash on paper, signed “Guillonnet” in the upper left corner, referring to the painter Octave Guillonnet (1872–1967); - a menu for the luncheon on April 10, 1901, hosted by the Mediterranean Fleet as part of the Italian naval squadron’s visit to Toulon from April 7 to 10, an engraved print based on a drawing by Mougeot; the handwritten menu in brown ink. ALSO INCLUDED is a menu for a dinner hosted by the La Frette City Council for Mr. Louis Schreck, the printed menu, with a caricature-style frame in ink and watercolor, dated 1928 in the lower left corner, signed by various members of the City Council; and a menu for the 6th Banquet of Vieux Montmartre, held on April 11, 1891, the printed menu, framed with a pencil drawing and signed “E. Michon” in the lower right corner (small tears). Provenance Émile Loubet Collection. History Émile Loubet (1838–1929) was successively appointed Minister of Public Works, then President of the Council and Minister of the Interior. In 1896, he became President of the Senate. In 1899, as the sole candidate in the race, he was elected President of the Republic following the sudden death of Félix Faure. In domestic politics, his term saw the end of the Dreyfus Affair, the “fiches” scandal, and the passage of the law separating church and state, initiated by Aristide Briand. He distinguished himself primarily through an active foreign policy. In particular, he developed ties with Russia as part of the Franco-Russian Alliance concluded in 1892. ...