Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to George Keate, written from Ferney and dated 13 October [1762] [D10761]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV37406
Repository:
Shelfmark:
Sotheby’s, Lot. 127, ‘VOLTAIRE | autograph letter signed, in English, to George Keate, c.1762’
Title:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to George Keate, written from Ferney and dated 13 October [1762] [D10761]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Yr friend is just ready to set out for england.
Incipit Modernised:
Your friend is just ready to set out for England.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to George Keate, written from Ferney and dated 13 October [1762].
Detailed Summary:
Voltaire begins by saying that Keate’s friend is about to set out on his journey to England. He adds that he regrets the company of the friend, and that he will regret Keate all his life, before noting that they are in the middle of acting a tragedy [Sémiramis] in which he plays a ghost [Ninus]. Voltaire concludes by saying that he will act very well for he is but a shadow.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
245 x 185 mm
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
Unbound
Additional Comments:
The MS features two vertical and two horizontal fold lines. Ink has transferred onto the bottom of f.1r during the folding process. There is foxing throughout and a tear to the left-hand side of f.1r.
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
Additions:
There is a minor correction to the final word of l.6 on f.1r in the form of corrected text being written over the top of incorrect text.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
13 October [1762]
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
ferney
Provenance:
Passed at the Sotheby’s sale on 11 June 1968 (Lot. 53); the Maggs sale in London in Spring 1969 (Lot. 172); and the Maggs sale in London in Autumn 1970 (Lot. 199). Passed again at the Sotheby’s sale on 15 July 2020 (Lot. 127) where it sold for £1,500.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
OCV Reference:
OCV Manuscript Reference:
Record created by:
Record created on: