Banned Books and Drawings in France 1814-1850
(A - C)
This list is taken from the catalogue "Catalogue des Écrits, Gravures et Dessins condamnes Depuis 1814 jusqu'au 1st janivie 1850". Published Paris: Librairie Adolphe Delhays, 1850; specifically chapter "Écrits, gravures, lithographies et dessins immoraux, liceneieux et obscenes". Notes to the Checklist: Bookseller Jean-Baptiste Rousseau should not be confused with author Jean-Jacques Rosseau. Annotations are my own.
Ou Description Topographique
Sold by Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, Libraire à Paris.
– Condemned for outrage against public morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour royale de Paris on November 16, 1822.
– The charges against Rousseau were discharged owing to lack of notification of the charges[?] directed against him concerning the sale of the book.
Sold by Rénier Becker.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on August 9, 1842.
– Becker was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 200 francs.
By Dupuis
Sold by Adolphe Chasseriau, libraire-éditeur, à Paris.
– Condemned for outrages against religious and universal morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour royale de Paris on June 26, 1823.
– It does not appear that Chasseriau was sentenced or fined.
Sold by Furcy-Devaux (hawker and window dresser)
– Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine on May 31, 1826.
– Furcy-Devaux was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 16 francs.
By Joseph-Toussaint Michel
– Condemned for attacks against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on April 15, 1844.
– It not appear that Michel was sentenced or fined.
A work with obscene engravings
Sold by Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, Libraire à Paris.
– Condemmed for outrage against public morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour royale de Paris on November 16, 1822.
– The charges against Rousseau were discharged owing to lack of notification of the charges[?] directed against him concerning the sale of the book.
L'Académie des dames, written by Nicolas Chorier, was first published in Latin in c.1659 as Satyra Sotadica. The first French translation appeared in 1680 (à Ville-Franche, chez Michel Blanchet) and later in 1749 as Nouvelle Traduction de Meursius. The first English translation may have appeared in 1682 as The School of Women but definitely in 1684 as A Dialogue Between a Married Lady and a Maid; for which William Cademan was prosecuted for "exposing, selling, uttering and publishing the pernicious, wicked, scandalous vicious and illicit book".
Sold by Rénier Becker
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on August 9, 1842.
– Becker was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 200 francs.
François, encore un effort.
Brochure.
Published by François Rouanet, libraire à Paris: Blondeau, printer.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on November 20 1848.
– Rouanet was sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined 2000 francs. It does not appear that the printer was sentenced or fined.
Ou le Roman Philosophique, par [Marquis] de Sade.
– Condemmed for outrage against public morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour royale de Paris on May 19, 1815.
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Aline et Valcour was first published in 1795 in 4 small volumes (3 1/8" x 5 1/8"). There were three different printings, with the only differences being in the title pages (one of which bears the date 1793) and in the number of engravings (14 in first two printings, 16 in the third).
Obscene engraving
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on January 14 1822.
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Obscene engraving
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on January 14 1822.
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Obscene engraving
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on January 14 1822.
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Ou Thélène. 4 volumes.
By Henri-Joseph-Victor Ducange.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine on January 29, 1824.
– Ducange was sentenced to 2 months in prison plus a fine of 100 francs
– Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine on April 3, 1825.
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Sold by Regnier Becker.
– Condemned for outrage to good morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on August 9, 1842.
– Becker was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 200 francs.
Sold by Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, Librairie à Paris.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on November 16, 1822.
– The charges against Rousseau were discharged owing to lack of notification of the charges[?] directed against him concerning the sale of the book.
Écrites par lui-même.
Sold by Pierre Bon.
– Condemned for outrages to public and good morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine-Inférieure on September 8, 1844.
– Bon was sentenced to 5 months in prison and fined 6000 francs.
Authorship is attributed to Charles Joseph Traviès de Villers. The first appearance of this work was in 1832 with 12 lithographs by Villers.
Chanson
Sold by Pierre-Marie-Michel-Eugene de Pradel.
– Condemned for outgrage to good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on November 16 1822.
– Pradel was sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined 1000 francs.
– Condemned for outgrage to good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de Paris on March 7, 1823.
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Engraving sold by Louis-Victor Deshayes and Marie-Gabrielle Goin.
– Condemned for outrages to public and good morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on November 28, 1845.
– Deshayes was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 500 francs. It appears Goin was not sentenced or fined.
Engravings sold by Regnier Becker.
– Condemned for outrages to public and good morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on August 9, 1842.
– Becker was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 200 francs.
A volume with engravings.
André Besson (merchant hawker), Jean-Hémerie Bourraut (manufacturer), Jean-Pierre Cottenet (printer, engravings) and Jean-Jacques Merlot (painter)
– Condemned for outrages to public and good morals.
– February 25. 1825 - Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine
– Besson was sentenced to 3 months in prison and fined 200 francs; Bourraut to 1 month in prison and fined 3,500 francs; Cottenet to 3 months in prison and fined 200 francs; and Merlot to 3 months in prison and fined 200 francs.
Guyonnet [not noted if seller, publisher, buyer, etc.]
– Condemned for outgrages to good morals.
– March 2, 1832 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine
– It does not appear that Guyonnet was sentenced or fined
Jean-François Salagnay (merchant hawker)
– Condemned for outgrages to good morals.
– February 9, 1842 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine o
– Sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 100 francs.
Written by Félix Nogaret (1740-1831), L'Arétin Français first appeared in 1787 with 19 engravings.
Obscene Engraving.
– March 7, 1823 - Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Engraving sold by Regnier Becker
– August 9, 1842 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine.
– Becker was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 200 francs.
Suivant les mémoires trouvés dans le cabinet du maréchal d'H...
Jean-Pierre-Auguste Lottin (printer), Paul-Joseph Bouquin (publisher)
– Condemned for outrages to public and good morals.
– August 12, 1826 - Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine
–Both Lottin and Bouquin were fined 16 francs.
Printed by François Chassaignon
– April 26, 1842 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine
– Chassaignon was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 100 francs.
Alphonse Constant (priest), Auguste-Pierre Legallois (publisher).
– Condemned for attacks against property and outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on May 11, 1841
– Constant was sentenced to 8 months in prison and fined 500 francs. Legallois was sentenced to 3 months in prison and fined 300 francs.
Book of obscene engravings.
Sold by Mayer [first name unknown]
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on April 11, 1843
– Mayer was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 500 francs.
Obscene engraving.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on May 19, 1915
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Roman Érotique, by Denis Diderot (1713-1784)
Jean-Baptiste Artiques (hawker).
– Condemned for outrages against public, religious and good morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de Nord on February 2, 1835
– Artiques was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 500 francs.
The only work of fiction written by Diderot that was long enough to be considered a novel published during his lifetime. Two editions of Les Bijoux Indiscrets were first published in Paris in 1748; one with the false imprint of 'Pékin' and one with the false imprint of 'Au Monomotapa' [Both 2 volumes. Vol.1: Frontispiece + 4 engravings; Vol.2: 2 engravings]. Diderot wrote the book after a dare, more or less, from his mistress who told him he was unable to write stories in the manner of Crébillon fils. An English translation appeared in 1749 as Les Bijoux indiscrets. Or, the Indiscreet Toys, published in London.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– August 20, 1824 - Destruction ordered per the Judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Jean-Baptiste Artiques (hawker)
– February 22, 1835 - Destruction ordered per the Cour d'assises de Nord
– Artiques was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 500 francs.
Spony (Merchant hawker)
– September 1, 1837 - Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Douai
– Spony was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 500 francs.
Henri Clouzot (bookseller), Antoine Porterié (merchant hawker), Bertrand Porterié (merchant hawker)
– December 12, 1838 - Destruction ordered per the Cour d'assises de la Vienne
– Clouzot and both the Porteriés were fined 10 francs.
Ou Histoire du Mal de Naples, by Linguet
Sold by Jean-Baptiste Rousseau
– Condemned for outrage against good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on November 16, 1822
– The charges against Rousseau were discharged owing to lack of notification of the charges[?] directed against him concerning the sale of the book.
Published and sold by Regnier Becker.
– Condemned for attacks against public and good morals
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on August 9, 1842
– Becker was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 200 francs.
Probably a pamphlet, this work first appeared in 1792.
Ou Le Secret du Cabinet noir, by Faverolles
– Condemned for outrages against public morals.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on December 21, 1822
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
à Sujets Obscènes
Louis-Jules Guerrier (lithographie printer)
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on April 29, 1845
– It does not appear that Guerrier was sentenced or fined.
Ou La Nouvelle Félicia
– Condemned for outrage good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on August 5, 1828
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Poëme héroï-comique, by Dulaurens
Sold by Pierre Lagier
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals
– December 21, 1822 - Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris
– Lagier was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 100 francs.
François-Hippolyte Lebègue (bookseller), Germain-Félix Locquin (printer)
– September 17, 1835 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine
– Both Lebègue and Aquitted Locquin were aquitted.
Distributed and sold by Finot (wine grower).
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de l'Abue on August 11, 1843
– Finot was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 25 francs.
Delivery of three songs entitled: (1) La femme d'un homme public (2) Le mauvais sujet (3) Zon, ma Lisette!
Distributed by Charles Durand.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on February 10, 1847
– Durand was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 100 francs.
Sold by Regnier Becker.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on August 9, 1842
– Becker was sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined 200 francs.
Collection of obscene and licencieuse engravings.
Sold by Marie-Gabrielle Goin.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on November 25, 1845
– Goin was sentenced to 4 months in prison and fined 500 francs.
Sold by Regnier Becker.
– Condemned for outrages against public and good morals
– August 9, 1842 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine
– Becker was sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined 200 francs.
Sold by Pierre Bon
– September 8, 1844 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine-Inférieure
– Bon was sentenced to 5 months in prison and fined 6000 francs.
Sold by Jean Redonnet.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de Vannes on April 29, 1822
– Redonnet was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 16 francs.
Titles: (1) Le Bon Dieu (2) Les Capucins (3) Les Chantres de paroisse (4) Deo Gratias (5) Descente aux Enfers (6) Les Missionnaires (7) Mon Curé (8) Le Roi Christophe
Pierre-Jean Béranger (poet)
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– December 8, 1821 - Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine
– Béranger was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 50 francs
Jean-Baptiste Rousseau (bookseller)
– November 16, 1822 - Destruction ordered by the Cour royale de Paris
– The charges against Rousseau were discharged owing to lack of notification of the charges[?] directed against him concerning the sale of the book.
Furcy-Devaux (hawker and window dresser)
– May 31, 1826 - Destruction ordered by the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine
Furcy-Devaux was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 16 francs.
Sold by Jean Redonnet
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered by the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de Vannes on April 29, 1822
– Redonnet was sentenced to 1 month in prison and fined 16 francs.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on December 22, 1822
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Obscene engraving.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on January 14, 1822
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Lithographie by Dreuille
Published by Ligny and Dupaix.
– Condemned for outrage against good morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises on November 27, 1832
– It does not appear that Ligny nor Dupaix were sentenced or fined.
Lithographie by Dreuille.
Published by Ligny and Dupaix.
– Condemned for outrage against good morals.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises on November 27, 1832
– It does not appear that Ligny nor Dupaix were sentenced or fined.
– Condemned for outrage against good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on August 5, 1828.
– Publisher, seller, etc. not listed.
Followed by Ormin et Azéma
Sold by Jean-Baptiste Rousseau.
– Condemned for outrage against good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on November 16, 1822
– The charges against Rousseau were discharged owing to lack of notification of the charges[?] directed against him concerning the sale of the book.
Sold by Jean-Baptiste Rousseau.
– Condemned for outrages against public and good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the Cour royale de Paris on November 16, 1843.
– The charges against Rousseau were discharged owing to lack of notification of the charges[?] directed against him concerning the sale of the book.
Obscene engraving.
Sold by Regnier Becker.
– Destruction ordered by the Cour d'assises de la Seine on August 9, 1842
– Becker was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 200 francs.
By Charles-Louis Raban.
– Condemned for outrages against public and religious morals.
– Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine on October 19, 1824
– Raban was sentenced to 2 months in prison and fined 16 francs.
By Charles-Louis Raban
– Condemned for outrages against public, religious and good morals.
– Destruction ordered per the judgement of the tribunal correctionnel de la Seine on October 19, 1824
– Raban was sentenced to 2 months in prison and fined 16 francs.
• Catalogue des Écrits, Gravures et Dessins. Paris: Librairie Adolphe Delhays, 1850
• Darnton, Robert. The Forbidden Best-Sellers of Pre-Revolutionary France. W.W. Norton & Co., 1995
• Dictionnaire des Œuvres Érotiques. Mercure de France, 1971.
• Dutel, Jean-Pierre. Bibliographie des Ouvrages Érotiques. Paris: 2001.
• Englisch, Paul. Irrgarten der Erotik. Auflage, 1965.
• Foxon, David. Libertine Literature in England 1600-1745. NY: University Books, 1965
• Kearney, Patrick. A History of Erotic Literature. London: Macmillan, 1982
• Lély, Gilbert. The Marquis de Sade, a Biography. London: Elek Books Limited, 1961
• Peakman, Julie. Mighty Lewd Books. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003