Autograph letter from Voltaire to Charles Augustin Feriol, comte d’Argental and Jeanne Grâce Bosc Du Bouchet, comtesse d’Argental, written from Ferney and dated 17 December [1770] [D16840]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV37348
Repository:
Shelfmark:
MS 126.20
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Charles Augustin Feriol, comte d’Argental and Jeanne Grâce Bosc Du Bouchet, comtesse d’Argental, written from Ferney and dated 17 December [1770] [D16840]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
voyla mes anges un petit allongement pour la queue trop ecourtée de sophonisbe.
Incipit Modernised:
Voilà mes anges un petit allongement pour la queue trop écourtée de Sophonisbe.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Charles Augustin Feriol, comte d’Argental and Jeanne Grâce Bosc Du Bouchet, comtesse d’Argental, written from Ferney and dated 17 December [1770].
Detailed Summary:
Voltaire begins by saying that he is sending an addition for his Sophonisbe, which he felt was too short. He asks the d’Argental’s to send it the Lekain. Voltaire then discusses briefly war and peace before asking for details on the movements of de Mairet and the duc de Duras. The letter is followed by an extract, in verse, concerning Scipio.
Keyword(s):
Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
284 x 197 mm
Hands:
1
Watermark:
The paper is watermarked with a bell.
Countermark:
Binding:
The letter has been affixed to a paper cover measuring 264 x 201 mm. On the front of this cover is written ‘Lettre de la main de voltaire’. There are several pin holes along the inner edges of the cover, suggesting that it was once part of a bound collection, though the letter itself is glued to, rather than sewn into, the paper cover.
Additional Comments:
The MS has been folded into four (since unfolded). The lower edge has also been folded horizontally. This appears to have been done to make the letter fit the paper cover as ink transfer at the bottom of f.2r shows that the MS was folded in four to begin with, with the horizontal fold coming first, and that the lower edge was folded only later. This ink transference also suggests that the letter was folded in half horizontally whilst laid flat (i.e. not folded along the bifolium fold line, with f.1r therefore face down). There is further ink transference, possibly from another document, at the top of f.1r and a minor burn mark to the right-hand side of the MS and its cover. Ink on l.12 of f.2r has smudged, and there are ink blots over the first words of l.7 and l.16 of the same.
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
Additions:
Voltaire has added a marginal note to the top of f.2r. It is connected to the main text through the use of a corresponding symbol. There are minor corrections to l.12 and l.14 of f.2r in the form of corrected text being written over the top of incorrect text, and a further correction to the start of l.14 in the form of a crossing out.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
17 December [1770]
Ownership:
Owned by Theodore Besterman (1904-1976).
Origin (transcript):
ferney
Provenance:
Sold by Lollié in November 1950. Passed at the Sotheby sale in London on 11 June 1968 (lot. 94).
Bibliography
Bibliography:
OCV Reference:
vol.121, p.141-142
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.121, p.142
Record created by:
Record created on: