Bankruptcies, a gateway to gender history
Résumé
This article exploits bankruptcy records concerning the world of the Parisian book traders in the 19th century as a gateway to gender history. The bankruptcy files allow to analyse the role of the women (of) booksellers, whether commercants’ wives or booktraders. Firstly, the research shows the importance of the marital status for the establishment of the activity. In addition it pays attention to the financial contribution of women – mothers, daughters, wives, widows and allies (by means of the wives) – to the business. Finally, it analyses the symbolic participation as well as the concrete contribution of women – mothers or wives – in the firm in order to preserve, during or after the bankryptcy, the reputation of the business (the furnitures and the honour)
Domaines
Histoire
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