No more than 16 piastres for a litre of wine

[French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon]. Recueil des Arrêtés et Décisions de la Z. O. (24 Octobre 1918 - 31 Août 1920). Interessant toutes les branches de l'Administration: Administration Civils, Justice, Finances, Hygiène Publique, Agriculture, Douanes.

Beirut, Imp. des Lettres J. G., 1924.

8vo. 188 pp., 2 final blank leaves. Original printed wrappers.

 1,500.00

First edition.

Collection of laws and regulations for Lebanon (Zone Ouest) passed by the French under their mandate for Syria and the Lebanon from October 1918 until the end of August 1920, two days prior to the declaration of independence of Greater Lebanon. A compact primary source on French administration in the Middle East, this rare manual contains decrees for administrative issues such as the division of Lebanon into three zones, sanitary measures against the plague, but also detailed regulations concerning everything from travel permits and the organisation and surveillance of prisons to the application of the metric system, the trade in carrier pigeons, the prices for ice (2 piastres for 400 grams wholesale, 3 piastres retail), alcoholic drinks (16 piastres for a litre of table wine) and tramway fares, and the circulation of vehicles.

A few marginal flaws to the wrappers, occasional minor edge flaws. A good, clean copy with provenance stamp "Le Chef de Cabinet" on the upper cover.

Stock Code: BN#52127 Tags: , ,