[GUILLOTINE - LOUIS XVI]: An excellent and rare contemporary printed 12 x 18 original public notice,...

[GUILLOTINE - LOUIS XVI]: An excellent and rare contemporary printed 12 x 18 original public notice, published only few days after the execution of French King Louis XVI, entitled `Massacre of the French King«, bearing at the heading a large and attractive 6 x 6 vignette showing the guillotine and execution of King Louis XVI. Published `at the Minerva Offices«, London, by request of William Lane. With printed text alongside the vignette saying `View of la Guillotine, or the modern Beheading Machine at Paris - By which the unfortunate LOUIS XVI (late King of France) suffered on the Scaffold, January 21st 1793«. The affiche reproduces the 20th January 1793 decree approved by the National Convention, by which King Louis XVI is sentenced to death, also including a full explanation of the public execution process, concluding with `..After his head was cut off, the Sans-Culottes and Jacobins waived their hats in the air, exclaiming Vive la Nation! Vive la RŽpublique!..« The printed document further adds a lengthy description of the guillotine, a draft of the King«s will and several contemporary interesting anecdotes. Small overall, minor age wear. Few small tears to the edges, corner creases, with upper right corner professionally repaired to the verso. G £800-1200 William Lane (1746-1819) English publisher and bookseller in London. Around 1790 he established the Minerva Printing Press in Cree Church Lane, Leadenhall street.