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The Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal (Library of
the Arsenal) in Paris is
one of the branches of the Bibliothèque nationale de
France.
History
The collections of the library originated with the private library of Marc-René, 3rd marquis d'Argenson
(1722–1787), installed in 1757 in the residence of the Grand Master
of the Artillery, at the heart of the ancient Arsenal of Paris. The
Arsenal itself was founded by King François I in the 16th
century, later rebuilt by Sully, and expanded
by the architect Gabriel Germain Boffrand in the 18th century.
Paulmy had assembled a magnificent collection, particularly rich in
medieval manuscripts
and prints. In 1786
he also acquired the collection of the duc de la Vallière,
but then sold the entire library to the comte
d'Artois.
The library was sequestered by the state during the French
Revolution, and was greatly expanded by many valuable items
seized from the abbeys of Paris
and also by the archives of
the Bastille. On 28 April
1797 it was declared a public library.
In 1824, the writer Charles Nodier became librarian and held in the
Arsenal some the most reputable literary salons of
the day. In the 19th century the collections became increasingly
focused towards literature, especially drama. Between 1880 and 1914 the library acquired
a copy of every periodical published in Paris. In 1934 it
became a department of the Bibliothèque nationale.
The library
today
The library today holds approximately one million volumes
(including 150,000 pre-1880 volumes), just over 12,000 manuscripts,
100,000 prints, and 3,000 charts and plans. Its collecting policy
concentrates on French literature from the 16th
century to the 19th century, publications connected with the
archives and manuscript collections (fonds) already held, bibliophilia, the history of the book and
bookbinding, and the
history of the Arsenal itself and its occupants.
Major
collections
- Archives of the Bastille: The archives of the
Bastille date from 1660 onwards. They comprise prisoner dossiers
(including those of the marquis de Sade and other famous
prisoners), the archives of the Lieutenancy of Police of Paris, the Chambre de l'Arsenal and
the Chambre du Châtelet, private papers of the officers of the
Bastille, and a portion of the papers of the Royal Family.
- Fonds Prosper Enfantin: Paul-Mathieu Laurent,
known as Laurent de l'Ardèche, was a disciple of the Saint-Simonist Prosper Enfantin
and librarian of the Arsenal. In 1865, he acquired the papers of
Enfantin, which are a rich source for the history of
Saint-Simonism.
- Fonds Lambert: In 1969, Pierre Lambert, a
bookseller who had devoted his life to collecting items connected
with the writer Joris-Karl Huysmans, bequeathed his
collection to the library. It includes manuscripts, letters, works
that belonged to Huysmans, and original editions of his works.
- Louis-Sébastien Mercier Papers: In 1967, the
library acquired the papers of Louis-Sebastien
Mercier (1740–1814), who had had a great influence on the
evolution of the theatre and in particular on realistic drama, and
who is particularly known for his descriptions of Paris. The
collection contains biographical documents and correspondence,
articles, notes, the manuscripts of Nouveau Paris and his
plays and works of poetry and philosophy.
- Fonds Lacroix: Paul Lacroix, known as Bibliophile Jacob,
worked at the Arsenal for several years. After his death in 1884
the library acquired most of his personal papers, including his
collection of autographs, contained in letters from
writers, musicians and philosophers, both contemporary with Lacroix
and older.
- Fonds Péladan: In 1936, the Arsenal acquired
all the papers of Joséphin Péladan (1858–1918), a spiritualist writer who was fascinated by
the occult and in 1891 founded
his own church.
- José-Maria de Heredia Collection: The
daughters of the poet José María de
Heredia, who was librarian of the Arsenal from 1901 until his
death in 1905, gave the library a collection of portraits,
manuscripts, works and letters concerning their father and
themselves. One of them, Marie de Régnier (whose pen name was Gerard
d'Houville), bequeathed her library to the Arsenal. The library is
also very rich in items connected with the writer Pierre Louÿs,
Heredia's son-in-law.
- Fonds Georges Douay: Georges Douay, Parisian
man-about-town, theatre fan, and composer of songs and operettas, assembled a
collection (mainly printed) on French theatre from the 16th century
to the beginning of the 20th century, which he bequeathed to the
Arsenal in 1919.
- Archives Parlementaires: The official, printed
record of the French National Assembly from the 1789 Revolution
forward.
- Prints: The print collection comprises
portraits, many caricatures of the Revolution and the Restoration, a topographic series of plans and views of
cities, and major series of the 18th century Italian, German and
English schools bought by Paulmy during his travels throughout
Europe.
- Charts and Plans: Paulmy acquired a
magnificent series of military reconnaissance plans that had been made
for his uncle, the comte d'Argenson,
who was Minister of War.
- Music: The Arsenal's collection of manuscript
and printed music almost exclusively comes from the 18th century,
except for a few medieval manuscripts. Most of the music collection
was assembled by Paulmy.
The library is also rich in occult documents. These include the
original manuscripts of The Sacred Magic of
Abra-Melin and the Book of the Penitence of
Adam.
External
links
Coordinates: 48°51′01″N 2°21′48.70″E / 48.85028°N
2.363528°E / 48.85028;
2.363528
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