Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to François de Chennevières, dated 22 [December 1759] [D8671]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV37359
Repository:
Shelfmark:
Lion Heart Autographs, Lot 0115, ‘Voltaire ALS Poking Fun at the Church and Hoping for the End of War’
Title:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to François de Chennevières, dated 22 [December 1759] [D8671]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
mon cher correspondant les eveques ne veulent dont point faire du bien parceque les gens du monde en font.
Incipit Modernised:
Mon cher correspondant les évêques ne veulent dont point faire du bien parce que les gens du monde en font.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to François de Chennevières, dated 22 [December 1759].
Detailed Summary:
In his sarcastic and humorous letter, Voltaire opens by saying that the bishops do not want to do good because the worldy people do it, adding that these are pleasant maxims. He asks if Chennevières will have a pension on the condition that he is unhappy, and adds that this is pleasant charity. Voltaire then expresses his wishes that 1760 will be a happy year, noting that God has given ample harvests, de Broglie will give ‘Te Deums’, and that there will be peace.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
Unbound
Additional Comments:
The upper right-hand and lower left-hand corners have been dog eared. The letter has been folded in half horizontally, and there are vertical fold lines close to the left and right-hand sides of the manuscript. There is some minor ink transference in the upper left-hand corner of f.1r caused by the letter being folded in half.
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
Additions:
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History
Date:
22 [December 1759]
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
Passed at the Lion Heart Autographs sale in New York (Lot 0115) on 21 May 2025. The MS was estimated at $1,600-$2,000.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
OCV Reference:
OCV Manuscript Reference:
Record created by:
Record created on: