399. [Old VARENNA (Raymond-Augustin)]. Flags of the Paris battalions. 1791 [sic]. S.l. Paris], n.d., (1790), in-4, 60 plates engraved and finely watercoloured by hand (22 x 16 cm), cut out and glued on posterior strong paper sheets, under snakes, plate 40 (Saint-Joseph) is missing, cherry-coloured half-shell, smooth spine partitioned and decorated lengthwise with garlands and revolutionary symbols (rel. of the 1840s). Complete collection of plates, of the utmost rarity. The coloured plates, all numbered according to the divisions of Paris originally adopted, represent the flags, each supported by an equally colourful National Guard, whose attitude and physiognomy also varies each time. In addition to the exceptional freshness and sharpness of the colours, the extreme diversity of the symbols adopted by Parisians at this fleeting moment must be underlined: monarchical emblems abound (crowns, fleurs-de-lis, busts of Louis XVI), even religious (contrary to the outdated image, Paris remains a very Catholic city), as well as patriotic (roosters, warships) and revolutionary (Phrygian hats, bundles, bastilles), at the same time.C As is often pointed out, these collections remain the only testimonies that have come down to us of these flags, which were destroyed under a law of August 27, 1792, because of the monarchical symbols they contained.