[CONSTITUTION]. Law. French Constitution. Given in Paris, September 14, 1791. Preceded by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Paris, de l'Imprimerie Royale, 1791. In-8 format. Cream bradel half vellum, long title on smooth spine. Later binding. 63 pages, one engraved headband. Very slight foxing and browning on the vellum. Trace of wetness on part of the pages, with little damage to the text. Rare Parisian printing, published in the same year as the original, of the first French Constitution, which was adopted on September 3, 1791 and came into force on September 14, 1791, marking the birth of constitutional monarchy. Founded on the principles of the sovereignty of the Nation and the separation of powers, it was France's first experiment in a liberal regime. It stipulates that the Government is monarchical and that executive power is delegated to the King. Title III enshrines two fundamental points: "Sovereignty is one, inalienable and imprescriptible. It belongs to the nation" (article 1) and "The French constitution is representative: the nation's representatives are the Legislature and the King" (article 2). It is preceded by the 17 articles of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. A pleasant copy of one of the most valuable documents in French political history.