Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to one of the Cramer brothers, undated [inédit]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV37695
Repository:
Shelfmark:
RR Auction, Lot 557, ‘Voltaire: Cryptic autograph letter from the great French writer: “I like that mysteries are secrets”’
Title:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to one of the Cramer brothers, undated [inédit]
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 goust s’accorde avec le votre j’aime que les misteres soient secrets
Incipit Modernised:
Mon goût s’accorde avec le vôtre : j’aime que les mystères soient secrets.
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to one of the Cramer brothers, undated.
Detailed Summary:
Voltaire opens the letter by saying that his taste agrees with that of the recipient; he likes mysteries to remain secret. He says that he does not know whether or not the recipient has used the thoughts on public administration in the story of the twelfth wolf [lupus duodecimus], adding that if not he will weave them into the patchwork. Voltaire goes on to say that with one hand he is preparing this repetition whilst with the other the continuation of the general jumble of history, adding that if he had a third hand it would be put to the service of the lovely pair of brothers [par amabile fratrum].
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
178 x 114 mm
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
Unbound
Additional Comments:
The letter was folded into three before sending. The wafer seal is extant on f.1v and has caused some damage to the same. The MS has also been folded in half vertically (since unfolded).
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
Additions:
Voltaire has added a footnote to the bottom of the letter on f.1r. The note is linked to the main text at l.4 through the use of a corresponding symbol.
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Inclusions:
History
Date:
[n.d.]
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
Passed at the RR Auction sale (Lot 557) on 12 October 2016 where it sold for $2,271.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
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OCV Manuscript Reference:
Record created by:
Record created on: