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# 31
It's a deal!
On the 6th of July,
1781, a French notary wrote this impressive document concerning a transaction
between two noble people. It is a contract for the sale of major property in
the French city of Dijon. According to the law the contract was sealed with
lacquer, on a separate piece of paper, mounted on the contract with a piece of
ribbon. Although a large sum was involved, for this seal the cheapest material
was used: half a playing card.
This nice example of secondary use was offered to me just a few weeks ago. You can imagine what I said to the seller: "It's a deal". Do you think they have said the same 226 years ago? Only now the subject of the deal is the contract itself.
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