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an old handwritten letter with handwriting on it and a picture of a horsea close up of a piece of paper with writing on ita close up of a piece of paper with writing on ita close up of a piece of paper with writing on itthe declaration of the declaration of the declaration of the declaration of the declaration of the declaration of the declaration ofa letter written in black ink on a piece of paper
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[Literature] Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (1740–1814) Set of 6 documents Autograph letter, undated [c. 1799], from Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade, addressed to Mr Gaufridy, his solicitor in Paris Mr Diard, sir, one of my creditors—both the most insistent and the most substantial—wishes to see you to find out from you roughly when my children intend to settle their affairs; I beg you to convey to my children, the beneficiaries of my will, all the anxiety and all the irritation he may show you (no doubt quite rightly). May this step hasten, resolve my family’s indecision and convince these barbaric individuals that true honour lies far more in providing their father with a decent livelihood than in clinging to antiquated prejudices, the consequences of which have, throughout history, brought both misfortune and misery upon the nation. With respect and gratitude. Sade Sade refers to his children as ‘barbaric individuals’ to whom he was forced to cede his property to prevent it from being seized. He thus found himself at their ‘mercy’ for the provision of a maintenance allowance. At this time, Sade was in a state of utter destitution. He was living in Saint-Ouen in a small room, in hiding to escape his creditors. He pestered his business manager, Gaufridy, to obtain money from his estates in Provence (La Coste, Mazan), but his children (the ‘beneficiaries’) blocked the funds. Gaufridy, who usually resided in Apt in Provence, made several trips to Paris in an attempt to settle Sade’s affairs. He was staying at precisely this address (Rue des Boucheries-Saint-Germain) during the spring of 1799. This letter is a poignant account of the Marquis’s downfall. At that time, he wrote to Gaufridy almost every other day, alternating between insults and pleas. A few months later, in 1800, he published *Zoloé*, which precipitated his final arrest and his transfer to the Charenton asylum in 1801. L.A.S., 21 Messidor Year 12 (10 July 1804), 1 page, in-12 format, Donatienne-Eléonore de Sade, known as Laure de Sade (1771–1844), writing on behalf of her mother, Renée Pélagie, Marquise de Sade You will find enclosed, Sir, a power of attorney which my mother is sending you. She is very sorry that her eyesight prevents her from doing so herself. Laure de Sade on behalf of my mother. 21 Messidor, Year 12 Laure de Sade acted as her mother’s secretary; her mother had retired to the Château d’Echillais after seeking a legal separation from the Marquis, and was suffering from severe vision problems towards the end of her life (she ended up virtually blind). At this time, the Marquis de Sade had already been confined to the Charenton asylum for three years. The family was managing what remained of the Sade fortune and dealing with legal matters (the famous ‘power of attorney’) without any further direct contact with him. Advertisement for the sale of ‘a heritage property for sale situated at 11 Rue Neuve du Luxembourg, Paris’ (now Rue Cambon). This was the Marquis de Sade’s Parisian townhouse Pre-stamped envelope addressed by the Marquis de Sade: ‘Monsieur Paris, solicitor ( ) in Paris’ 2 P.A.S., 1806, concerning debts owed by the Marquis de Sade; notice of opposition ( ) Served upon Monsieur Donatien Alphonse François de Sade, residing at the Charenton Sanatorium, at the said address, in the presence of a woman who refused to give her name ( ) That the petitioner objects ( ) to the said de Sade paying and handing over to anyone whatsoever—and in particular to Dame Marie-Justine-Angélique Vachon de Belmont, widow of Roure—all rents, annuities, arrears… Order and formal notice of summons, 9 May 1806 Served upon Mr Donatien Alphonse François de Sade at his current residence at the Charenton and St Maurice hospice, to which I had expressly travelled, and speaking to a porter at the said hospice ( ) I, the aforementioned bailiff, served a summons upon the said Monsieur de Sade ( ) to appear next Tuesday, the 20th of May of this month, at eleven o’clock in the morning, at the office of Maître Fournier, Notary, situated at Quai Napoléon, Paris...
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Auction time 10/08/2026 at 2:00 PM
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