[ALESIA]. [Manuscript]. GUICHARD (Xavier). Éleusis-Alésia. I - Lot 225

[ALESIA]. [Manuscript]. GUICHARD (Xavier). Éleusis-Alésia. Investigation into the origins of European civilization. Sans-lieu, [1910-1927]. 1st draft manuscript in- 4° with working materials and typescript cleanup with corrections illustrated with laminated photographic prints and maps, with, in 1st draft manuscript in-folio, the Maps. The twenty-four lines of direction of the horizontal Compass Rose. Latitude lines. Lines of Alesian longitude. With printed worksheets filled out in ink (large in-8° bundle), large annotated maps (of France and 7 of the Chersonese north of the Sea of Azov, in Russian). Preceded by the draft of the letter accompanying the manuscript, probably addressed to his publisher and friend. "You have asked me for a succinct analysis of the work which has resulted from the research I have pursued since 1910, i.e. for seventeen years, with a tenacity from which I must draw no pride, for my zeal was constantly sustained by the unexpected wealth of results of the investigation undertaken [...]" Xavier GUICHARD (1870-1947) was a police commissioner, head of the Sûreté and director of the Police Judiciaire (he arrested the leader of the Bonnot gang, Jules Bonnot, in 1912, and was the superior and protector of Inspector Jules MAIGRET in SIMENON's novels); he was also an archaeologist and writer. He is buried in Pesmes, Haute-Saône. The book was published by Paillart in Abbeville in 1936, in-4°, 556 pp. with 555 maps. In it, the author develops his conception of a primitive civilization common to all peoples, and defines, in the fields of sacred geometry and sacred geography, "Alesian" itineraries (latitudes and longitudes determined by prehistoric Europeans, believing that the Gallic peoples of the Bronze Age had invented the geometry of the circle); based on recurring toponyms, he associated Alesia with Eleusis, both meaning "group journey and arrival", and evoked the cult of mother earth. He located Alesia in Franche-Comté. Much criticized by the scientific world, his text nevertheless received a warm welcome from René GUENON in the Éditions Traditionnelles review, no. 222, June 1938. Voluminous and exceptional set, which appears to be complete. Enclosed: A school notebook by Jean GUICHARD, 3rd grade student, 1914; and a handwritten course [written by Xavier GUICHARD?] on ancient constructions, rock and wood materials, with printed paleo plates.