2 - THE HUNDRED DAYS - [GHENT MONITOR]

THE HUNDRED DAYS - [GHENT MONITOR] "Le Moniteur universel. [Later: Journal universel]" Ghent, Printed by J. H. Houdin [Printer to the King], April 14–June 21, 1815, 20 issues bound in 1 vol. Folio. Original gray paper slipcase. Title label in the form of a period printed vignette glued to the center of the front cover reading "Le Moniteur universel 1815." Copy entirely untrimmed. Covers dusty, corners worn, small tear at the top edge. Spine intact. Interior fresh. Complete collection from No. 1 (Friday, April 14, 1815) to No. 20 (Wednesday, June 21, 1815) with continuous pagination (1 to 84). A true monument to royal propaganda in exile and a historical relic printed in haste in Ghent, this clandestine periodical chronicles, day by day, the forced exile of Louis XVIII and his court in Belgium during the Hundred Days. Edited under the auspices of François-René de Chateaubriand, then serving as acting Minister of the Interior, and the Marquis de Lally-Tollendal, it was intended to be smuggled into France to counter Napoleon Bonaparte’s decrees. The final issue of the series appeared just three days after the imperial defeat at Waterloo, sealing the King’s imminent return to Paris. This copy is consistent with the first printing—an extremely rare edition of the first issue—bearing the original, unaltered title “Le Moniteur Universel,” which was censored starting with the second issue at the request of the Dutch government and changed to “Journal universel.” The copy is preserved in its original condition. While nearly all surviving rare collections were trimmed and bound during the 19th century, this series has miraculously retained its original slipcase. From the library of Philippe Kervyn de Volkaersbeke (ex-libris) An exceptionally rare find in this pristine, untouched condition—highly desirable!