- 144
Catherine the Great.
bidding is closed
Description
- Early letter signed on her behalf ("Ekaterina"), in Russian, in a secretarial hand
to Countess Katerina Andreyevna [Shuvalov], thanking her for her congratulations on her husband's [Paul III] accession to the throne of Russia
1 page, 4to (c. 228 x 184mm.), integral blank (annotated by the recipient 18 April 1762), framed and glazed, St Petersburg, 5 March 1762, rather worn, browning, splitting at folds with slight paper-loss, the leaves separated
1 page, 4to (c. 228 x 184mm.), integral blank (annotated by the recipient 18 April 1762), framed and glazed, St Petersburg, 5 March 1762, rather worn, browning, splitting at folds with slight paper-loss, the leaves separated
Catalogue Note
This remarkable letter is full of historical irony. Catherine usurped the throne herself on 28 June 1762 and almost certainly had her husband Paul III murdered. She was already heavily pregnant by Count Orlov by the time of this letter, giving birth on 11 April. Paul III had acceded to the throne on the death of the Empress Elizabeth on 25 December 1761. Letters by Catherine before her accesssion are rare.