Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to Claude Henri Feydeau de Marville, dated ‘Jeudy au soir’ [May 1746?] [D3372a]

Identifiers

CMV:

CMV35331

Repository:

Shelfmark:

Collection Brigitte et Roland Broca : Lettres et manuscrits autographes, Partie I, Lot 112, ‘VOLTAIRE (1694-1778). L.A.S. «V…», Jeudy au soir [début mai 1746?, à Claude-Henry Feydeau de Marville]; 3pages in-4.’

Title:

Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to Claude Henri Feydeau de Marville, dated ‘Jeudy au soir’ [May 1746?] [D3372a]

Collection(s):

Link to Archive Catalogue:

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OCLC Number:

Reproductions:

Content

People:

Incipit Diplomatic:

Jay peur monsieur de me rendre ridicule a force de memoires.

Incipit Modernised:

Language(s):

In Voltaire’s Hand:

Yes

Brief Summary:

Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to Claude Henri Feydeau de Marville, dated ‘Jeudy au soir’ [May 1746?].

Detailed Summary:

Voltaire begins by saying that he is afraid of making himself ridiculous because of memoirs, but that he is reassured of the public good by two words given to him in writing by Davenel. He goes on to say that he mistook Jorri’s printing house for that of Josse because of Davenal’s poor spelling. Josse, he continues, is a Jansenist printer and a determined rascal. He therefore asks Feydeau de Marville to be able to maintain these individuals when his orders have provided for their safety. Voltaire next discusses Bienvenu’s innocence, stating that a boy of Lormel, a ‘little rascal’ has raised false claims to divert suspicions from his master. He then writes of La Mazuel who insists that she did not know who sold her the copies of a work. He concedes that this may be true, adding that what is certain is that she is miserable and worthy of pity if she and her husband has not printed the works of Desforges. Voltaire suggests that a visit be paid to the man who was denounced by Phélizot, recommends the Abbé Desforges and reports that a new libel was sold the previous day at the palace on the subject of the academy. Feydeau de Marville has added notes to the letter detailing arrests and searches to be made at booksellers and printers, and stating that Maurepas is opposed to the release of the widow Bienvenu.

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Physical Description

Material(s):

Extent:

2 ff.

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Countermark:

Binding:

Unbound

Additional Comments:

Materiality Keywords:

Decorations:

Undecorated

Additions:

Claude Henri Feydeau de Marville has added extensive notes to the MS above and in between Voltaire’s letter detailing arrests and searches to be made at booksellers and printers, and stating that Maurepas is opposed to the release of the widow Bienvenu. A small number of words have been underlined, and Voltaire has made several minor corrections throughout by adding revised text over the top of incorrect text.

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History

Date:

Jeudy au soir’ [May 1746?]

Ownership:

Owned by Brigitte and Roland Broca.

Origin (transcript):

Origin:

Provenance:

Passed at the Ader sale in Paris on 13-14 June 2024 (Lot. 112). Estimated price: €5,000-7,000.

Bibliography

Bibliography:

OCV Reference:

OCV Manuscript Reference:

Record created by:

Zoe Screti

Record created on:

29 August 2024