Autograph letter signed from Catherine II of Russia to Marie-Louise Denis [née Mignot], written from Saint Petersburg and dated 15 October 1778
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV37429
Repository:
Shelfmark:
Sotheby’s, Lot. 39, ‘lettre autographe signée, en français, à madame denis, nièce, amante, et légataire de voltaire Saint-Petersbourg, 15 [26] octobre 1778’
Title:
Autograph letter signed from Catherine II of Russia to Marie-Louise Denis [née Mignot], written from Saint Petersburg and dated 15 October 1778
Collection(s):
No related collections found.
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
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Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Incipit Modernised:
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter signed from Catherine II of Russia to Marie-Louise Denis [née Mignot], written from Saint Petersburg and dated 15 October 1778.
Detailed Summary:
Catherine notes that she has learned that Marie-Louise is going to give her her uncle’s library. She adds that sensitive souls will never see Voltaire’s library without remembering that he knew how to inspire in people a universal benevolence that also comes across strongly in his writings. Voltaire’s library would be sold to Catherine II a month later, with Marie-Louise receiving a payment of 135,000 lt in return in December.
The letter is accompanied by a draft of Marie-Louise Dénis’ reply, and a concerned letter from Alexandre d’Hornoy who writes to the Chevalier de Florian to express his dismay at Marie’s actions, asking de Florian to intercede on his behalf and make Catherine aware of the deep family divisions that the sale of Voltaire’s library has caused. d’Hornoy’s letter was written from Paris and is dated 9 August 1778.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
4 pp. + 2 pp. + 2pp.
Format:
Dimensions:
225 x 182 mm
Hands:
3
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
Unbound
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
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History
Date:
15 October 1778
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
St: Petersb:
Origin:
Provenance:
Passed at a sale held by Sotheby’s (Lot. 39).
Bibliography
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OCV Manuscript Reference:
Record created by:
Record created on: