Letter from Voltaire to René Nicolas Charles Augustin de Maupeou, written from Ferney and dated 22 August 1770 [D16605]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36751
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.148), ‘Au chancelier Maupeou, Ferney, 22 auguste 1770 (M. 8005)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to René Nicolas Charles Augustin de Maupeou, written from Ferney and dated 22 August 1770 [D16605]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Monseigneur, Il ne faut point prendre la liberté de vous présenter des ouvrages nouveaux, parce qu’assurément vous pensez mieux que les auteurs de ce siècle.
Incipit Modernised:
Monseigneur, Il ne faut point prendre la liberté de vous présenter des ouvrages nouveaux, parce qu’assurément vous pensez mieux que les auteurs de ce siècle.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to René Nicolas Charles Augustin de Maupeou, written from Les Délices to Oliva and dated 22 August 1770.
Detailed Summary:
The writer says that sending new works to the recipient, a leading figure in literature, seems unnecessary, since his letters already surpass most contemporary books. Still, given the unsettled state of Europe, he feels justified in offering a modest critique of prevailing thought, hoping that the recipient may find some value in it.
Keyword(s):
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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 manuscript carries a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
22 August 1770
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:
vol.120, p.410–411
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.120, ‘MS1’, p.411
Record created by:
Record created on: