Frédéric-Guillaume Rosa (1780 - March 4, 1833) was a Parisian bookseller and publisher active in the early to middle 19th century. He is extremely significant as the primary artery for the book and map trade between Latin American capitals in Mexico and Argentina, and publishing centers in Europe. Rosa was born in Wissembourg, Bas-Ruin. He apprenticed as a bookbinder, in time earning considerable prestige in Parisian publishing circles. In 1812, he acquired the inventory of French bookseller Brigitte Mathey (1767 - 18??), for the bargain price 32,000 Francs. On October 1, 1812, he was formally patented as a Paris bookseller opening a shop in the publishing entrepôt of the Palais-Royal, and another on Rue Bussy. Although he began as a general publisher and bookseller, Rosa recognized an underserved market in Latin America, particularly Argentina and Mexico. Rosa's son, Jean-Frédéric Rosa (18?? - September 16, 1872), made sales trips to Mexico starting in 1824, when he established a relationship with the famous Mexico City bookseller, Mariano Galván Rivera (1791 - 1876). The firm published and exported Spanish-language titles, legal works, maps, and translations - mostly through Galván. This relationship continued until 1841, when Frédéric-Guillaume's grandson, Jules-Marie Rosa (Julio Rosa; 1812 - 18??), opened his own bookshop in Mexico City at Alcaicerías 28. The Rosas developed extensive contacts among the political, legal, and intellectual elite in Mexico, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires and Bogotá. Their original bookstore was located at Palais-Royal et Rue Montpensier n° 5, but closed in February 1830, when Frédéric-Guillaume declared his Paris bookshop bankrupt. Nonetheless, after Frédéric-Guillaume's death in 1833, Jean-Frédéric Rosa continued to prosper. He published several important maps of Mexico on behalf of the Mexican Congreso General in 1837 and 1851. In the 1845 he was sued in civil court for violating the copyright of Girardin Lefèbvre in the publication of a Spanish translation of Leccionses de Química. He lost the lawsuit and the ensuing penalties forced him to look for partners. His first partners were Pierre-Adolphe Auzou (1799 - 1872) and Charles-François Henry Gérard, with whom he established 'Rosa, Auzou et Cie' in 1846. This firm was dissolved in 1847 when Auzou pulled out, and for 2 years, Rosa and Gérard operated as 'Rosa et Cie.' From June 1, 1849 to July 1, 1859, when Adolphe-Émeri Bouret (November 28, 1816 - March 25, 1876), bought out Gérard, forming a joint-stock company as ' Libraría de Rosa, Bouret, et Cía'. Another mysterious partner 'Mr. Gerard' joined the firm thereafter but was bought out in 1853. In November of 1854, the firm acquired the lucrative contract to represent Hachette in Mexico City. Later in the 1870s, they opened a new Paris shop in 6th arrondissement bookseller redoubt Rue Visconte. This firm initially operated as 'Libraria de Rosa, Bouret, et Cía', but Jean-Frédéric died in 1872. After his estates was settled in 1874, Adolphe-Émeri Bouret partnered with his son, Charles-Adolphe-Henry Bouret (Paris, November 27, 1841 - October 8, 1892), to operate the firm as 'Bouret et Fils'. Heirs of the Bouret occupied no. 23 until at least the 1960s.



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