Interesting collection of 2 memoirs by prefects of police in - Lot 274

Interesting collection of 2 memoirs by prefects of police in the 19th century, in 4 bound volumes: 1. CANLER (Louis): Mémoires de Canler, ancien chef du service de sûreté. Fourth edition. Paris, F. Roy, 1882. Two volumes. 11.5 by 18.5 cm. (4)-VII-(1)-475; (4)-518 pages. Modern bradel boards, cons. covers, gilt head. Binding in perfect condition. Some foxing. 4th edition (E.O.: 1862). Bertier de Sauvigny et Fierro 198; Bourachot 75; Le Clère 176. First complete edition containing the full text of the manuscript. "These memoirs cover the period 1810-1858. They provide definite evidence of the practices of the political police during the Restoration. For the later years, they are above all an evocation of the criminal investigations skilfully conducted by the author, notably the arrest of Fieschi and Lacenaire." (Le Clère). The famous chapter on male homosexuality, entitled Les antiphysitiques et les chanteurs, appears on pp. 117-160 of Volume II. 2. ANDRIEUX (Louis): Souvenirs d'un préfet de police. Paris, Jules Rouff et Cie, 1885. 2 volumes. 11 by 17.5 cm. 356; 304 pages. Contemporary black half-chagrin, 4 ribbed spine. Some foxing. A fine copy. First edition. Le Clère, Biblio. critique de la police 15. Louis Andrieux was Prefect of Police from March 4, 1879 to July 16, 1881. "The work ends with a table of the prefecture's services in 1879." (Le Clère). A Freemason, he had problems with his Lyon Lodge, the Parfait Silence, which he recounts in his memoirs. He was also the adulterous father of Louis ARAGON.