Auguste-Xavier LePrince was known for his many topographical subjects, often enhanced with a rich flora of anecdotal depictions of everyday life. Preliminary studies for this subject with Ledoux’s monumental customs house in Paris feature in a sketchbook at the Louvre and show LePrince’s systematic approach. Here, pedantic customs officers search consignments for Paris, and a soldier guides a mother with children to the background puppet show. 3/1-22 Despite his short career, Auguste-Xavier Leprince became well-known for his many topographical motifs, often spiced up with a rich flora of anecdotal vernacular scenes. The studies for this painting featuring Ledoux’s monumental custom house at La Villette in northern Paris, kept in a sketchbook in the Louvre, show that Leprince was systematic in his approach. Here, the two punctilious customs officers are inspecting carts of goods bound for Paris, and a soldier is showing a mother and child a puppet theatre in the background.