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an old letter written in black ink on a piece of paper
Ader

152 - Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot (1727–1781).
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Estimate €600 - €800
Sale commission
Description
Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot (1727–1781). Letter from the sender (L.A.S.), Limoges, 12 January 1770, to Mr Quinque, a second-year student at the Collège de Sainte-Barbe in Paris; 2 pages in-4, addressed, red wax seal (slightly cracked). A lovely letter from the Intendant of Limoges to the young man who would later become his secretary. He is pleased to hear that Quinque is satisfied with his progress and his studies. ‘Do not think that I wish you to devote more attention to poetry than to any other subject. On the contrary, I shall urge you to pursue that subject which, in keeping with your talents and necessary for success, may prove the most useful. It will probably not be poetry, and unless you possess a very distinct talent and superiority, I shall dissuade you from writing verse. It is a poor pursuit when one does not excel at it, and even when one writes very good verse, the pursuit still has many drawbacks. In any case, you ought at present to think only of cultivating your mind, enriching it with knowledge, and putting yourself in a position to choose the field to which it is best suited’... Certificate of cultural heritage attached.
See original version (French)
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About the sale Letters and Autograph Manuscripts – Part I
Auction location
Auction time 10/13/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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