Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, written from château de Ferney and dated 9 March 1770 [D16213]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV33983
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.25), ‘9 mars 1770, Ferney, au roi de Prusse (M. 7814)’
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, written from château de Ferney and dated 9 March 1770 [D16213]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
C’en est trop d’avoir tout ce feu
Incipit Modernised:
C’en est trop d’avoir tout ce feu
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II, written from château de Ferney and dated 9 March 1770.
Detailed Summary:
The manuscript is a lettre en vers, opening with a poem of five quatrains, each comprising four lines and following the rhyme scheme ABBA CDCD EFFE GHGH IJIJ. This introductory poem, addressed to Frederick II of Prussia, praises his literary talents and anticipates the themes developed in the body of the letter.
The prose that follows centres on Voltaire’s admiration for the monarch, celebrating Frederick’s literary achievements alongside his political and military accomplishments. The author also refers to Frederick’s epistle to Madame de Morian and to the Battle of Rossbach.
Keyword(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:
The manuscript carries the date in Wagnière’s hand.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
9 March 1770
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:
vol.120, p.82–83
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.120, ‘MS1’, p.83
Record created by:
Record created on: