?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000
LETTERS SEEKING NEWS OF THE IMPRISONMENT OF DON CARLOS CATHERINE DE' MEDICI. Group of 4 Letters Signed, "Caterine," as Queen Mother, to French Ambassador to Spain Raymond de Rouer de Pavie de Beccarie, Baron de Fourquevaux, in French, concerning the recent imprisonment of Carlos, Prince of Asturias, discussing the Prince's disposition toward her daughter Elisabeth and son-in-law King Philip II, requesting updates about all matters including the imprisonment, and reporting on the improved health of her daughter-in-law, Elisabeth of Austria. Each countersigned by Secretary of State Nicolas de Neufville. Each ½ page, folio, address panel on verso; short closed separations at horizontal folds, faint scattered foxing. Paris or Boulogne-sur-Mer, February 1568-January 1571
23 February 1568: ". . . I believe that things will now be smoothed over, although the fact is very strange [referring to imprisonment of Carlos, Prince of Asturias]. . . . May things be . . . settled to the satisfaction of my said son-in-law [Philip II of Spain], and that of my said daughter [Elisabeth], who, I am assured, is partly extremely upset, both because of the King, her husband, and for the look of the said Prince, who has always made it known that he has good will towards her. God, in this, makes it well known, as well as by wars or by men, how angry he is with us, but we must take the matter in patience and respond by serving him well . . . ." 24 March 1568: ". . . I am very happy to hear of the continuation of the health of the Queen, my daughter, of whom I only ask you to send me news, also of what is happening to the Prince, and as matters will pass, being in doubt of what you have sent me, that there are some deputies of Aragon from Valencia and Catalonia, sent to go and complain about the imprisonment of the said Prince, and that the Constable of Castile intends to do the same. Tell me at length and particularly what will become of all these things, as well as the person of the said Prince, whose misfortune I pity and regret with that of the father incessantly . . . ." Boulogne, 29 January 1571: ". . . [M]y daughter[-in-law] the Queen [of Austria]. . . has been so constantly ill that we were in despair. Since that night she is much better, having less fever, and much more rest. The doctors assure us that she . . . ought to be soon recovered . . . . I am retaining the courier until after the Fair of St. Germain since I want to send my granddaughters some gifts from the fair . . . ."
