Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 8 November 1776 [D20393]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36704
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.68), ‘Au roi de Prusse, 8 novembre 1776 (M. 9802)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 8 November 1776 [D20393]
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 m’avez envoié un ouvrage bien rare car tout y est vray.
Incipit Modernised:
Seigneur, Vous m’avez envoyé un ouvrage bien rare, car tout y est vrai.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 8 November 1776.
Detailed Summary:
In this letter, the writer expresses deep gratitude for the rare and truthful work sent by the King and acknowledges the philosophical insights contained within it. He contrasts his own suffering and old age with the King’s past adversities, admiring how the King rose above them with courage and dignity. The writer laments his dire personal circumstances and lack of financial support, which may affect his burial, and subtly requests the King’s protection, though he hesitates to make a direct appeal. He concludes by acknowledging a young Saxon noble, whom he believes the King has taken an interest in, and ends with a humble plea for the King’s grace.
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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 MS carries a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
8 November 1776
Ownership:
After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.
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:
128, p. 29–30
OCV Manuscript Reference:
128, p. 30
Record created by:
Record created on: