Ecris: Monsieur, En réponse à la lettre, que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire, j’ai le regret d’avoir à vous annoncer que les actions de la Société Européenne, du Cirage incombustible ont été intégralement souscrites. Toutefois, j’ai enregistré votre demande et dans le cas d’une nouvelle émission, j’aurais l’honneur de vous en donner immédiatement avis. Je suis &c – Le directeur, R. Macaire. Fais imprimer, tirer à 300,000 et empoissonne-z-en la France..... – Comment ! nous n’avons pas placé une seule action, nous n’avons pas une seule demande, nous n’avons pas le sou et tu ........ – Bertrand ! vous êtes bête comme une carpe..... Faites ce que je vous dis et vous verrez......

Abstract

Robert Macaire, director, is making his secretary write a letter about the initial public offering he organized for his company. Robert Macaire may seem to be a realistic figure, however one should remember that in reality he is an artificial personality, created in 1823 by Benjamin Antier for his play „ L’Auberge des Adrets“. The breakthrough came in 1834, when Frédéric Lemaitre used the names of Macaire and his somewhat simple partner Serres-Bertrand for his various comedies in Paris. The figure of Macaire goes back as far as 1371, when - as the legend goes - Aubri de Montdidier, a nobleman from the court of Charles V was assassinated by Macaire. The murder was vindicated by his dog, the only witness of the assassination. A duel between the dog and Macaire, who was armed with a cudgel, should settle the case. The dog killed Macaire, who confessed the murder before he died. Philipon was the author of all the texts of this series. It should be noted that Daumier did not monogram or sign the prints, presumable because Philipon wanted to document his position as author of the texts and as “inventor” of the series.