Collection of a Connoisseur: History in Manuscript, Part 2
Collection of a Connoisseur: History in Manuscript, Part 2
Lot Closed
April 27, 01:17 PM GMT
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
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.