Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun, written from Ferney and dated 31 January 1761 [D9586]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV37693
Repository:
Shelfmark:
RR Auction, Lot 564, ‘Voltaire: Voltaire lashes out against his sworn enemy’
Title:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun, written from Ferney and dated 31 January 1761 [D9586]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
il est monsieur de la plus grande importance de vanger le nom de Corneille, et le public.
Incipit Modernised:
Il est, monsieur, de la plus grande importance de venger le nom de Corneille et le public.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun, written from Ferney and dated 31 January 1761.
Detailed Summary:
Voltaire states that it is of the utmost importance to clear Corneille’s name and to protect the public. He adds that he includes a certificate from Madame Denis and the power of attorney from Monsieur Lécluse. He goes on to say that this surgeon is entitled to seek justice for an insult that may bring him into disrepute in the practice of his profession and that he would gladly pay all the costs of the proceedings. Voltaire concludes by saying that the wretched Fréron is not worthy of hearing the recipient’s fine verses, advising them to let Fréron feel the force of their prose and the arm of justice. He adds that good old Corneille, guided by the recipient, will crush the monster.
Keyword(s):
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Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
191 x 6 mm
Format:
Dimensions:
191 x 152 mm
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
Unbound
Additional Comments:
The MS has been folded into four (since unfolded). There is a small blob of wax between l.2 and l.3 of f.1r.
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
Additions:
A symbol has been drawn in the left-hand margin of f.1r. The same symbol appears at the end of f.1v.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
31 January 1761
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
ferney
Provenance:
Passed at the RR Auction sale (Lot 564) on 12 November 2014 where it sold for $16,835.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
OCV Reference:
OCV Manuscript Reference:
Record created by:
Record created on: