Letter from Voltaire to Jean-Joseph-Thérèse Roman, written from Les Délices and dated 16 June 1762 [D10514]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36762
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.165), ‘A M. Roman, 16 juin 1762, aux Délices (M. 4934)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Jean-Joseph-Thérèse Roman, written from Les Délices and dated 16 June 1762 [D10514]
Collection(s):
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Il y a longtemps, Monsieur, que je vous dois des remerciements.
Incipit Modernised:
Il y a longtemps, Monsieur, que je vous dois des remerciements.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Jean-Joseph-Thérèse Roman, written from Les Délices and dated 16 June 1762.
Detailed Summary:
The writer expresses long-overdue gratitude to the recipient, delayed by a prolonged illness. They commend the recipient’s translation work, particularly of German poets, and humourously lament the extended life of biblical figures, suggesting a preference for more enjoyable translations. The writer also encourages the recipient to focus on their own writing rather than translating tragedies and extends compliments to the recipient and their pupil, expressing regret at the departure of Madame Dalbertas from their region.
Keyword(s):
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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:
Voltaire endorsed MS1 ‘à mr Roman’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
16 June 1762
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:
109, p. 36
OCV Manuscript Reference:
109, ‘MS1’, p. 36
Record created by:
Record created on: