Autograph letter from Voltaire to Gustave III of Sweden, dated 12 November 1771 [D17444]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36710
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.76), ‘Au roi de Suède, 12 novembre 1771 (M. 8404)’
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Gustave III of Sweden, dated 12 November 1771 [D17444]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
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Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Sire c’est avec ces larmes qu’arrachent l’attendrissement et L’admiration, que j’ay lu l’éloge du Roy votre père composé par votre majesté.
Incipit Modernised:
Seigneur c’est avec ces larmes qu’arrachent l’attendrissement et L’admiration que j’ai lu l’éloge du Roy votre père composé par votre majesté.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Gustave III of Sweden, dated 12 November 1771.
Detailed Summary:
The writer expresses profound admiration and emotional resonance upon reading the eulogy of the King, composed by the recipient’s Majesty. He notes that Europe celebrates this tribute, and although he is not a subject by birth, he is devoted in spirit and heart. The writer respectfully adds his own voice to the chorus of well-wishers and explains that his heartfelt sentiments justify the freedom he takes in expressing them.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
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History
Date:
12 November 1771
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:
122, p. 134
OCV Manuscript Reference:
122, ‘MS1’, p. 134
Record created by:
Record created on: