RAYS, Charles Du Breil, marquis de - Lot 139

RAYS, Charles Du Breil, marquis de The Free Colony of Port-Breton New France (Oceania). Summary presentation. Marseille, typography Blanc & Bernard, November 1881. In-8 (203 x 129 mm) of 16 pp. with 2 loose subscription forms. Original cover printed on pink paper, modern brown half-maroquin case. First edition of the extremely rare publicity brochure extolling the benefits and progress made since the creation of the Colonie Libre in 1878. "After three years of efforts, unheard of struggles and meritorious successes, it is no longer necessary to say that the Free Colony of Port-Breton is asserting itself every day by new progress. History showed that this declaration was only a swan song - the colony was already facing the abyss of total failure in which the French settlers perished. The booklet is accompanied by two very rare subscription forms: the first one was a commitment to buy land, the other was a subscription form for La Nouvelle France, Journal de la Colonie libre Port-Breton. As is well known, the venture conceived by the Marquis de Rays was a debacle for the settlers, of whom less than a dozen survivors remained on February 9, 1882. The trial of the Marquis de Rays was opened in 1884, after which he was sentenced to 4 years of prison and a fine of 3000 francs. Nice copy, complete with the rare bulletins.