Letter signed from Voltaire to Jean-François de La Harpe, written in the hand of Wagnière and dating to c.20 April 1775 [D19430]

Identifiers

CMV:

CMV37651

Repository:

Shelfmark:

MS 128.5

Title:

Letter signed from Voltaire to Jean-François de La Harpe, written in the hand of Wagnière and dating to c.20 April 1775 [D19430]

Related record(s):

No related manuscripts found.

Link to Digital Resource:

Link to Archive Catalogue:

OCLC Number:

Reproductions:

Content

People:

Incipit Diplomatic:

Mon cher ami, j’étais bien en peine.

Incipit Modernised:

Mon cher ami, j’étais bien en peine.

Language(s):

In Voltaire’s Hand:

Partly

Brief Summary:

Letter signed from Voltaire to Jean-François de La Harpe, written in the hand of Wagnière and dating to c.20 April 1775.

Detailed Summary:

Keyword(s):

Genre(s):

Status:

Physical Description

Material(s):

Extent:

2 ff.

Format:

Dimensions:

197 x 157 mm

Hands:

2

Watermark:

The paper is watermarked with the names ‘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. There is a small stain to the inner margins of f.1v-2r, possibly caused my water damage. There is a further stain in the upper left-hand corner of f.2v likely caused by the paper coming into contact with a red wax or wafer seal.

Materiality Keywords:

Decorations:

Undecorated

Additions:

The letter has been endorsed as ’42’ in the upper left-hand corner of f.1r. The address panel has been added by Voltaire in his own hand on f.2v.

Marginalia Keywords:

Inclusions:

History

Date:

[20 April 1775]

Ownership:

Owned by Theodore Besterman (1904-1976).

Origin (transcript):

Origin:

Provenance:

Bibliography

Bibliography:

OCV Reference:

OCV Manuscript Reference:

Record created by:

Zoe Screti

Record created on:

26 January 2026