Archives International Auctions Sale 66 April 23, 2021 U.S., Chinese & Worldwide Banknotes, Scripophily, Historic Financial Ephemera and Security Printing Ephemera

Archives International Auctions - Sale 66 53 April 23, 2021 Archives International Auctions www.archivesinternational.com 377 377 Election de Tonnerre, 1783 Chevalier d’Eon Payment Document in French Paris, France, 1783. Typeset and handwritten document in French. Black with stamp at top left. Fine condition with some circular stains, but still in great condition considering its age. Document from the town of Tonnerre, in which the Chevalier d’Éon paid a sum owed to the King of France at the time, Louis XVI, who was the last King of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. The Chevalier d’Éon mentioned in the document is Charles-Geneviève- Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée d’Eon de Beaumont (5 October 1728 – 21 May 1810), a French diplomat, spy, and soldier. He was born in Tonnerre into a minor aristocratic family, and later fought in the Seven Years’ War. In 1756, he joined the secret network of spies called the Secret du Roi (King’s Secret) employed by King Louis XV without the knowledge of his government, and d’Eon worked as a spy while in Russia and England. According to contemporary accounts, d’Eon had androgynous physical characteristics and natural abilities as a mimic and a spy. D’Eon appeared publicly as a man and pursued masculine occupations for 49 years, although during that time he supposedly infiltrated the court of Empress Elizabeth of Russia by presenting as a woman (an anecdote that is likely apocryphal). After a stint as a Captain in the French Dragoons, he was sent to London as a diplomat. He embraced London life and continued to spy for the King before falling out with a superior. D’Eon refused to return to France, and afterward claimed that Louis XV had instructed him to disguise himself as a woman and to hide in the city. There had long been rumors in both Britain and France that the Chevalier was a woman, which subsequently developed into intrusive public interest. Bookmakers in London even took odds on whether he was a woman or a man. Eventually, in need of money, he told a French diplomat, Pierre Beaumarchais, in 1775 that he was really a woman. Believing this, Beaumarchais managed to get him a pension, but d’Eon was ordered to return to France wearing women’s dress. From 1777 on, the Chevalier began to permanently present as a woman. She spent some time at her family estate in Tonnerre due to a forced retirement, and she later returned to London in 1785. In 1792 her family’s properties in Tonnerre were confiscated by the French revolutionary government. Despite her famous and remarkable life, d’Eon died in poverty in 1810 at the age of 81. D’Eon’s body was buried in the churchyard of St Pancras Old Church, and any remaining possessions were sold by Christie’s in 1813. D’Eon’s grave is listed on the Burdett-Coutts Memorial there as one of the important graves lost. Fascinating piece of history from a groundbreaking figure. ������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $300-450 France - North Africa POW 378 378 Republique Francaise - Camps de Prisonniers. ND (1940s). Issued Note. France. ND (1940s). 5 Francs, P-NL, issued banknote, for use at POW Camp in North Africa, VF condition. The Vichy government of France set up labor camps in North Africa for POWs and people that were anti-Vichy and anti-Nazi and possibly some Jews. The camps were located in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and the Western Sahara. Four denominations were issued 5, 10, 50, and 100 francs. ����������������������������������� Est. $250-400 379 379 Republique Francaise - Camps de Prisonniers. ND (1940s). Vichy Issued Note. France. ND (1940s). 10 Francs, P-NL, issued banknote, for use at POW Camp in North Africa, Fine to Choice Fine condition. The Vichy government of France set up labor camps in North Africa for POWs and people that were anti-Vichy and anti- Nazi and possibly some Jews. The camps were located in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and the Western Sahara. Four denominations were issued 5, 10, 50, and 100 francs. �� Est. $250-400 French Afars & Issas 380 380 Territoire Francais Des Afars Et Des Issas, Trésor Public. Djibouti, ND (1974). Issued Banknote. French Afars & Issas. ND (1974). 1000 Francs, P-32, issued banknote, S/N V.92-802, Fine to VF. (From the Allen Berk Collection) ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $250-400 French Antilles 381 381 Institut d’Emission des Departements d’Outre-Mer. ND (1961) Issue Banknote. French Antilles... ND (1961). 1 Nouveau Franc on 100 Francs, P-1, issued banknote, S/N Q.q 88673, VF to Ch. VF condition. (From the Allen Berk Collection) ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $200-400 382 382 French Antilles, Institut d’Emission des Departements d’Outre- Mer. ND (1964). “Top Pop” Specimen Note. French Antilles. ND (1964). 50 Francs, P-9as, specimen banknote, Signatures of A. Postel-Vinay - P. Calvet, S/N O.0 00000 0351, PMG graded Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ. Tied with one other note as highest graded out of 4 graded in the PMG census. (From the Allen Berk Collection) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Est. $1100-1600