Marcou, J.; L. Le Chevalier.

llustration Francaise and Le Moniteur Américain. Prospectus for French-American newspaper venture [with] 3 issues of L'Illustration, 1851.

Paris/New York: March 20, 1851. An annotated Prospectus for a short lived French newspaper venture in the US founded by editors J. Marcou and L. Le Chevalier. It is printed on one side in English and the other in French, and with illustrations suited either to a French or American audience

The two newspapers, L'Illustration and Le Moniteur Americain, were intended to be published in New York in order to reach a French speaking American audience. An announcement in The Literary World entitled "French Literary Enterprise", states of L'Illustration, "It is now proposed to publish this work in New York. An edition to be sent over from Paris in each weekly steamer, which is to be accompanied by a supplementary sheet of American local intelligence, to be made upon this side, and entitled Le Moniteur Americain." (The Literary World, 1851, Vol VIII. New York: E. A. & G. L. Duyckinck, No. 224, p 393).

An additional comment in "The Literary World" salutes the new joint venture with the following comment: "This joint work has entered upon its regular publication. The Paris portion of the number before us, for the 15th May, is enriched by a series of original designs by Gavarni ... The American supplement, printed at New York on the arrival of the steamer, contains a resume of French politics, from a Parisian correspondent, notices of cis-atlantic (sic) events of the week, & c. The international feature of this publication of Messrs. Marcou and Chevalier is worthy of every encouragement. A newspaper which is published in two countries, for the common interests of both, is one of the most powerful agents for peace and humanity which can be devised. It is in this spirit, we trust, this work will continue to be issued." (May 24, 1851. Vol VIII. New York: E. A. & G. L. Duyckinck, p 418)

In the Prospectus the editors state that by special arrangement in Paris, the printing of the L'Illustration is able to be held til the last moment, "which enables us to distribute every week at New York and over the American Continent the numbers received by steamers, leaving Liverpool every Saturday. They also note that although L'Illustration has already established a good reputation in America, it is "insufficient of itself to supply the wants and desires of the inhabitants..." (p1).

In regard to the Moniteur Americain, the editors state that it will be printed in French and that it will "[address] itself more especially to that portion of the population who speak the French language, such as, the French, Belgians, Swiss, Savoyards, Canadians and the creoles of Louisiana, [and] will devote itself to the support of their interests." ... [It] will appear once a week, eight or ten hours after the arrival of the mails of the steamers leaving Liverpool every Saturday for New York and Boston". (p2)

This publishing venture is a work in progress: period ink corrections have been made on the Prospectus to the New York address of L'Illustration Francaise (from "temporarily at Delmonico's Hotel" to 267 Broadway) and to the amounts to be paid for cash subscription rates. The 'Conditions of Sale' show that the 2 newspapers would be available for subscription together or separately, and for cash in single numbers. The single number price for L'Illustration Francaise is 25 cents; Le Moniteur Americain is 6 cents. L'Illustration will be on sale as of the 10th of May 1851 and the Moniteur on the 15th or 20th of May 1851.

While L'Illustration Francaise (first published in 1843) continued to be published through 1944, Le Moniteur Americain lasted only through its introductory year of 1851.

[with] 3 complete issues of L'Illustration, dated 8 May 1851; 10 July 1851; and 17 July 1851. Each issue states the subscription prices of both L'Illustration and Le Moniteur Americain purchased either together or purchased singly, below the masthead. The 8 Mai 1851 issue has period ink changes made to the pricing of the newspapers. All 3 are unopened copies, with French tax stamps at the upper right corners.

The Prospectus measures 21 1/2 x 15 1/4" opened; folds to 10 1/2 x 15 1/4". Slight crease lower corner, period fold flattened. The 3 issues of L'Illustration, 11 x 15 1/4", bright and clean. OCLC: 12198266 records 6 copies of the Moniteur Americain, with only Vol 1, No. 1 recorded. OCLC: 225384800 for L'Illustration, Journal Universel. Very good overall. Item #26092

Price: $1,750.00