Letter signed from Voltaire to Antoine Augustin Parmentier, written in the hand of Wagnière from Ferney and dated 1 April 1775 [D19399]

Identifiers

CMV:

CMV37650

Repository:

Shelfmark:

MS 128.4

Title:

Letter signed from Voltaire to Antoine Augustin Parmentier, written in the hand of Wagnière from Ferney and dated 1 April 1775 [D19399]

Related record(s):

No related manuscripts found.

Link to Archive Catalogue:

Link to Digital Resource:

OCLC Number:

Reproductions:

Content

People:

Incipit Diplomatic:

J’ai reçu, Monsieur, les deux excellents mémoires que vous avez bien voulu m’envoier, l’un sur les pommes de terre, et l’autre sur les végétaux.

Incipit Modernised:

J’ai reçu, monsieur, les deux excellents mémoires que vous avez bien voulu m’envoyer, l’un sur les pommes de terre et l’autre sur les végétaux.

Language(s):

In Voltaire’s Hand:

Partly

Brief Summary:

Letter signed from Voltaire to Antoine Augustin Parmentier, written in the hand of Wagnière from Ferney and dated 1 April 1775.

Detailed Summary:

Keyword(s):

Genre(s):

Status:

Physical Description

Material(s):

Extent:

2 ff.

Format:

Dimensions:

196 x 159 mm

Hands:

2

Watermark:

The paper is watermarked with a shield bearing a post horn. Beneath the shield is written: ‘D&C Blauw’.

Countermark:

Binding:

Unbound

Additional Comments:

The paper has been folded to create a left-hand margin on both the recto and verso sides. The MS was sealed using the ‘Tuck-and-Seal’ method before sending. The wafer seal embossed with Voltaire’s coat of arms is extant on f.2v. An additional half of a red wafer seal is extant at the top of f.2v. As there are no corresponding remnants or stains to suggest that this additional wafer was used to seal the letter, it is probable that it was used to affix the letter to another paper artefact. There are several small holes and tears to the fold lines, many of which have been repaired with paper.

Decorations:

Undecorated

Additions:

Postmarks have been stamped and drawn over the address panel on f.2v.

Marginalia Keywords:

Inclusions:

History

Date:

1 April 1775

Ownership:

Owned by Theodore Besterman (1904-1976).

Origin (transcript):

ferney

Provenance:

Bibliography

Bibliography:

OCV Reference:

OCV Manuscript Reference:

Record created by:

Zoe Screti

Record created on:

26 January 2026