Charles-Joseph Panckoucke Launches the "Gazette Nationale ou Le Moniteur Universelle"

On November 24, 1789 Charles-Joseph Panckouke, publisher of the immense Encyclopédie méthodique, launched the Gazette Nationale ou Le Moniteur Universel. This publication became the main French newspaper during the French Revolution, and was for a long time the official journal of the French government. It continued to be published until 1868.

During the French Revolution the Moniteur Universel became the official record of legislative debates in the Assemblée Nationale,  detailing to an extraordinary degree the procès-verbal.

In November 2020 I had the opportunity acquire a copy of the extremely rare 4-page prospectus for the Moniteur Universel. The prospectus, which did not mention the Panckoucke's name, was a small sheet on which 4 pages were printed. It indicated that the newspaper would be patterned after the English model and would extend its coverage to five general areas:

1. L'Assemblée Nationale
2. Politics both within and outside France
3. The Administration (government)
4. Literature, Science, and Arts
5. Announcements and general "advice"

The prospectus indicated that the first issue would be published on November 24 [1789], at the cost within Paris of 6 sous.