Decree issued by Gustaf III of Sweden on September 7, 1791, and printed at Stockholm, Sweden.

Soft cover. Fine.

The decree had the effect of law on the Swedish island of Saint Barthélemy, also known as St. Barts, located in the French Caribbean near St. Martin and Anguilla. 8vo. Original self cover. 7 pages. Text in Swedish.

Sweden purchased the West Indies island of St. Barts from France in 1784, in exchange for trade rights in the Swedish port city of Gothenburg. The island was sold back to France in 1878, making it the longest held overseas possession in the Swedens history. St. Barts was also the only overseas possession ever held by Sweden for more than twenty years. The legacy of Swedish ownership can be seen in the names (truncated) of many of the streets and the town (in honor of King Gustav III) and the presence of Swedens national arms, the Three Crowns, in the islands coat of arms along with the Maltese cross, the Fleur-de-lis, the mural crown, two pelicans, as well as the islands supposed Amerindian name of Ouanalao. Old ink marking to upper right corner of title page and original docketed signature to back cover. Generally clean throughout. Fine. (Inventory #: 5032)