Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, dated 19 May 1759 [D8306]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV33978
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.17), ‘[V] ‘Copie de ma lettre du 19 mai au R. de Prusse. Elle doit être de 1758’ (M. 3851)’
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, dated 19 May 1759 [D8306]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Sire, Vous êtes aussi bon frère que bon général, mais il n’est pas possible que Tronchin aille à Schwet auprès du prince votre frère.
Incipit Modernised:
Seigneur, Vous êtes aussi bon frère que bon général, mais il n’est pas possible que Tronchin aille à Schwet auprès du prince votre frère.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
The manuscript is a draft of a letter in Voltaire’s hand. Voltaire endorsed MS1 ‘copie de ma lettre du 19 may au R. de Prusse’, to which Wagnière added ‘elle doit être de 1758’;
Detailed Summary:
In the letter, the author comments on Prince Augustus Ferdinand of Prussia’s illness, suggesting methods to alleviate its severity and noting the availability of medical care from Dr. Théodore Tronchin. Voltaire then addresses and refutes accusations of unsolicited distribution of a copy of poems authored by Frederick II and addressed to Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick. According to T. D. N. Besterman, Caussy wrongly states that the draft is in Wagnière’s hand.
Genre(s):
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 ‘copie de ma lettre du 19 may au R. de Prusse’, to which Wagnière added ‘elle doit être de 1758’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
19 May 1759
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
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:
OCV Manuscript Reference:
Record created by:
Record created on: