Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, written from château de Ferney and dated 9 December 1769 [D16032].
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV33982
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.24), ‘Au roi de Prusse, 9 décembre 1769 à Ferney (M. 7727)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, written from château de Ferney and dated 9 December 1769 [D16032].
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Quand Talestris que le nord admira
Incipit Modernised:
Quand Thalestris que le nord admira
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, written from château de Ferney and dated 9 December 1769.
Detailed Summary:
The manuscript is a lettre en vers, opening with an eight-line poem and referring to Les Plaideurs by Jean Racine. The poem is likely attributed to an unnamed Greek author, identified at the close of the letter.
Throughout the text, Voltaire reflects on the literary accomplishments of Alexander the Great, highlighting his reputed skill in poetry and citing verses addressed to Thalestris. He also commends the Prussian monarch’s library at the newly built Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam.
Keyword(s):
Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Additions:
The manuscript carries a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
9 December 1769
Ownership:
After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)
OCV Reference:
vol.119, p.360–361
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.119, ‘MS1’, p.361
Record created by:
Record created on: