- 23
Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France
- Unsigned autograph letter to the Comte de La Luzerne, written in the third person, [about the envoys of Tipu Sultan]
- paper
arranging for someone to bring the Indian [envoy] to attend the royal hunt, asking de La Luzerne to make sure this is someone reliable, agreeing that Piveron [de Morlat] would be most suitable, and asking him to act promptly to ensure that Piveron fulfills this commission, rather than [the equerry] de Larbouste, and that horses are found for the guest
"le reine prie mr de la luzerne de lui mander, si il a pensé a donner quelqu'un de sure pour conduire demain l'jndien a la chasse, et qui puisse en meme tems assez ce faire entendre de lui, pour empecher qu'il soit cause de quelques accident, il semble que mr de piveron, seroit le meilleure pour cette commission mais il faudroit l'avertire d'avance et prevenir mr de larbouste, pour qu'il ce trouve des chevaux pour lui"
1 page, 8vo (c. 165 x 110mm.), annotated by the recipient ("recu le 14 à sept heures du matin"), no date [probably 1788], some foxing, integral blank laid down on printed stationery of Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, together with a letter by her to Lady Ponsonby, presenting "the original letter of Marie Antoinette" in 1890
"le reine prie mr de la luzerne de lui mander, si il a pensé a donner quelqu'un de sure pour conduire demain l'jndien a la chasse, et qui puisse en meme tems assez ce faire entendre de lui, pour empecher qu'il soit cause de quelques accident, il semble que mr de piveron, seroit le meilleure pour cette commission mais il faudroit l'avertire d'avance et prevenir mr de larbouste, pour qu'il ce trouve des chevaux pour lui"
1 page, 8vo (c. 165 x 110mm.), annotated by the recipient ("recu le 14 à sept heures du matin"), no date [probably 1788], some foxing, integral blank laid down on printed stationery of Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, together with a letter by her to Lady Ponsonby, presenting "the original letter of Marie Antoinette" in 1890
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), Sultan of Mysore, sent envoys to France in 1788, trying to elicit help against the British East India Company. Piveron de Morlat had met Tipu in his role as French agent at the court of Hyder Ali and had made arrangments for the envoys to be met at Brest in March 1788 (see his letter to La Luzerne, in M. Hasan, History of Tipu Sultan, 1971, 2006, p.118). Three envoys finally arrived on 16 July 1788. César Henri Guillaume de La Luzerne (1737-1799) was Governor-General of the "Iles sous le Vent" (now Haiti) from 1785 to 1787 and became minister of the Navy under Necker.