Mar 19, 2015 - Sale 2376

Sale 2376 - Lot 210

Price Realized: $ 4,750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
TO THE POET GUAZZESI VOLTAIRE, FRANÇOIS MARIE AROUET DE. Letter Signed, "Voltaire gentilhomme o[rdinaire] de la chambre du r[oi]," to the Italian poet Lorenzo Guazzesi ("Monsieur il Cavalliero Guazzesi"), in French, thanking for sending his book [Racine's Iphigenie and Voltaire's Alzire, published together in 1762], mentioning that the ancient Romans had an unrefined sense of humor and noting that he can see through his windows the mountains that were crossed by Hannibal. The text of the letter is in the hand of his secretary, Jean-Louis Wagnière. 2 1/2 pages, 4to, written on a singled folded sheet; Voltaire's holograph rank truncated by seal tear (but signature is not affected), complete separations at folds expertly repaired with tissue. Ferney, 18 October 1763

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"One of the greatest consolations which I have received in an infirm old age which leads me to the tomb by an uneven road, has been reading the works you have been good enough to send me. . . . I am not well enough to thank you by my own hand, but . . . I can appreciate all your merit. The admirable Iphigenie of Racine was worthy of being translated by you, but you do others [e.g., Voltaire himself] too much honor. Your compositions are as instructive as your poetry is agreeable. . . ."