Letter from Voltaire to Christian VII of Denmark, dated [c. 5 November 1770] [D13542]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36711
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.77), ‘Au roi de Danemark (M. 8104)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Christian VII of Denmark, dated [c. 5 November 1770] [D13542]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Sire, Mr Dalembert m’a instruit des bontez de votre majesté pour moy.
Incipit Modernised:
Seigneur, Mr d’Alembert m’a instruit des bontés de votre majesté pour moi.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Christian VII of Denmark, written from château de Ferney and dated [c. 5 November 1770].
Detailed Summary:
The MS is a copy of the original document: a transcription by Jean-Louis Wagnière. The writer expresses deep gratitude and surprise at the generosity of the monarch, as conveyed by Mr d’Alembert, particularly regarding the honour of a statue – an accolade he believes more fitting for a king than for a private citizen. He acknowledges the monarch’s exceptional efforts to spread enlightenment, demonstrate modesty, and bring happiness to his subjects.
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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:
[c. 5 November 1770]
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.121, p.68–69
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.121, ‘MS2’, p.69
Record created by:
Record created on: