1967 Alexis Dubois Archive – Retirement & 45 Years of Belgian Public Service

A remarkable five-document archival group documenting the retirement of Belgian senior civil servant Alexis-Théodore-Camille Dubois in 1967, following a career of nearly 45 years in public service.

The archive brings together the official Royal Decree granting his retirement, formal tributes from senior officials of the Belgian Ministry of Finance and Customs Administration, and two personal replies written and signed by Alexis Dubois himself.

The principal document is the Royal Decree of 20 June 1967, issued in the name of King Baudouin of Belgium, granting Dubois honourable retirement from his position as Inspector General of the Belgian Customs and Excise Administration, effective 1 August 1967. He was also authorised to retain the honorary title associated with his office.

The accompanying correspondence provides a particularly personal conclusion to the archive. In a letter dated 16 July 1967, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance thanks Dubois for the “good and loyal services” rendered during a career of nearly 45 years.

Two signed replies from Dubois record his own acknowledgements and thanks at the close of his professional life.

The archive includes

1. Royal Decree – 20 June 1967 – two pages
Official Belgian decree concerning the honourable retirement of Alexis-Théodore-Camille Dubois, Inspector General of the Customs and Excise Administration.

The decree grants his retirement effective 1 August 1967, recognises his pension rights and authorises him to retain the honorary title of his functions.

French-language official document with administrative stamps, certifications and signatures.

2. Official retirement notification – 11 July 1967
Letter from G. Buyse, Director General of Customs and Excise, forwarding the Royal Decree and paying tribute to Dubois’s “long and honourable career.”

Signed in blue ink by G. Buyse.

3. Ministry of Finance tribute – 16 July 1967
Official letter from the Cabinet of the Secretary General of the Belgian Ministry of Finance.

The letter thanks Dubois for his “good and loyal services” during a professional career of nearly 45 years and wishes him a happy retirement.

Signed by G. Coppée.

4. Signed reply from Alexis Dubois – 20 July 1967
Personal typewritten reply from Dubois to G. Buyse acknowledging the Royal Decree and thanking him for his appreciation of Dubois’s long career within the Customs Administration.

Signed in blue ink by A. Dubois.

5. Handwritten letter from Alexis Dubois – 21 July 1967
Entirely handwritten letter on pale blue paper addressed to the Secretary General.

Dubois expresses his gratitude for the words of appreciation and good wishes received on the occasion of his retirement.

Signed by Alexis Dubois.

Historical context

Alexis-Théodore-Camille Dubois entered the Belgian Customs Administration during the 1920s and rose through its senior ranks to become Inspector General.

His career later became closely connected with the emerging institutions of European integration, including service associated with the European Economic Community.

These documents record the final administrative chapter of that career: the Royal decision ending his active service, the tributes paid by senior Belgian officials and Dubois’s own signed acknowledgements.

Unlike an isolated administrative document, this group preserves the complete human sequence surrounding a senior civil servant’s retirement after nearly half a century of service.

From the original Alexis Dubois Archive.

Condition

Good vintage archival condition.

The documents show normal signs of age and official use, including original folds, creasing, light edge wear, administrative marks and natural paper toning.

Original stamps, signatures and annotations remain visible.

The handwritten letter is on distinctive pale blue paper.

The documents have not been restored or artificially altered.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.

The five documents, comprising six document pages, are offered together as one archival group and will not be separated.