Collection of a Connoisseur: History in Manuscript, Part 2

Collection of a Connoisseur: History in Manuscript, Part 2

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 17. Catherine II, Empress of Russia | letter signed, to Vasili Stepanovich [Popov], 8 December 1791.

Catherine II, Empress of Russia | letter signed, to Vasili Stepanovich [Popov], 8 December 1791

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April 27, 01:17 PM GMT

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Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia


Letter boldly signed ("Ekaterina"), to Potemkin's chancellor Vasily Stepanovich [Popov], 8 December 1791


in Russian, thanking Popov for his dispatch [from Jassy], dated 25 November, but telling him that there are still many matters which she needs to discuss and urging him to come and see her as soon as he has settled everything,


1 page, 4to, St Petersburg, 8 December 1791


Vasili Stepanovich Popov (1743–1822) presided over the court of Prince Potemkin, Catherine's favourite, being in effect his prime minister or chancellor. Potemkin died at Jassy in Moldovia (now Romania) on 16 October, leaving Catherine without her top advisor. Catherine therefore recalled Popov and turned to him for counsel, especially on Poland and Ukraine, where he owned estates.