Letter from Voltaire to Wilhelmine of Prussia, Margrave of Bayreuth [D4479]

Identifiers

CMV:

CMV33511

Repository:

Shelfmark:

Aguttes- The Aristophil Collections, Lot. 122

Title:

Letter from Voltaire to Wilhelmine of Prussia, Margrave of Bayreuth [D4479]

Collection(s):

No related collections found.

Related record(s):

No related manuscripts found.

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Reproductions:

Content

People:

Voltaire: Author

People:

[acf_related_records]

Incipit Diplomatic:

Votre altesse Royale attendoit des Adhémars, et elle a des Codenius

Incipit Modernised:

Language(s):

In Voltaire’s Hand:

Brief Summary:

Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to Sophia Friederika Wilhelmina von Preussen, margravine of Bayreuth, written from Potsdam and dated 28 May 1751.

Detailed Summary:

Voltaire expresses concern for the health of the recipient, noting that he loves both Wilhelmine and her brother Frederick II, King of Prussia. Voltaire adds that if Wilhelmine had been in better health, he would have written of the Marquis d’Adhemar who hasn’t yet resolved to leave Paris, of Nicolas Liébault, a wise and educated man of letters. He notes that he wishes he could come to her, but that the diseases that overwhelm him make him sedentary and force him to remain in his cell. He concludes by remarking on the unfairness of Wilhelmine’s illness.

Genre(s):

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Physical Description

Material(s):

Extent:

2 ff.

Format:

Dimensions:

Hands:

1

Watermark:

Countermark:

Binding:

Additional Comments:

There is minor wear along the main fold line. There is a small stain on f.2v and an ink stain at the top of f.1r.

Materiality Keywords:

Decorations:

Undecorated

Additions:

A note has been added in Voltaire’s hand to the top of f.2v reading: ‘Mr de montparni n’est pas le plus infatigable ecrivain du siecle.’

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History

Date:

Ownership:

Origin (transcript):

Provenance:

Passed at the Weigel sale in Leipzig on 20 September 1865 (p.44-6, in nos. 1440-65). Passed again at the N. Yemeniz sale in Paris on 12 mai 1868 (p.14, no.80). Sold at Aguttes auction as part of the Aristophil Collections in Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France, on Wednesday 16 November 2022, Lot 222, (estimated price: €6000-8000).

Bibliography

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OCV Manuscript Reference:

Record created by:

Zoe Screti

Record created on:

30 May 2024