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an old letter with a wax stamp on it sitting on top of a piece of papera close up of a piece of paper with writing on itan old envelope with a wax seal and a wax stamp on ita wax seal on a piece of paper on a piece of paperan old document with a stamp on it sitting on top of a piece of paper
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854 - CATHERINE II (1729–1796)
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Estimate 5 000 € - 5 500 €
Sale commission
Description
CATHERINE II (1729–1796) Autograph letter signed ‘Caterine’, addressed to Count Ernst von Münnich, currently a privy councillor, in Saint Petersburg. Moscow, 1 March 1775. In French. 1 page on a double sheet, in-4°, 22.2 × 18.2 cm. The sheet is folded in the shape of an envelope. The recipient’s address in Russian on the reverse, accompanied by a red wax seal bearing the imperial coat of arms. Very good condition. Traces of creases. In this letter, Catherine II writes to Count Münnich: ‘Dear Count Münnich, I learnt from your letter of 23 February of the care you have taken to procure two copies of the Encyclopaedia for me. I shall write to Marshal Golitsyn so that he may reimburse you for the other small expenses you incur on my behalf. I wish you good health, a moderate appetite, a cheerful disposition and a substantial income when the ice breaks up next. I send my regards to the Judges of Israel and Suzanne, and pray that God may bless their supper. ’ French translation based on the Russian text provided, not a transcription of the original letter. Bibliography: Recherches sur Diderot et sur l’Encyclopédie, no. 2, 1987, no. 59, p. 202. Catherine II maintained close relations with the French Enlightenment philosopher Denis Diderot (1713–1784), co-founder of the Encyclopédie, or Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, of which she was the patron. Diderot oversaw the publication of the Encyclopédie from 1751 to 1772. The Empress, a passionate bibliophile, had long counted the Encyclopédie amongst her favourite works. In 1765, Catherine II acquired Diderot’s personal library. She decided, however, to leave the collection in Paris, whilst granting the philosopher the right to continue using it for the rest of his life. Diderot was appointed ‘librarian to Her Imperial Majesty’, with an annual salary of 1,000 francs. In 1773, at the invitation of Catherine II, Diderot travelled to Russia, where he stayed in Saint Petersburg from October 1773 to March 1774. During his stay, he frequently met with the Empress and held discussions with her. He was elected an honorary foreign member of the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences in 1773 and took part in drawing up reform proposals then being considered by Catherine II. Count Johann Ernst von Münnich (Sergei Khristoforovich Minikh; 1707–1788) was a statesman, diplomat and memoirist of the Russian Empire, a member of the Münnich family. In 1763, during the reign of Catherine II, he was granted the rank of Privy Councillor. From 1764 onwards, he served as a member of the Customs Commission and as Director-General of Customs Revenue for the Russian Empire. From 1774 until his death, he served as President of the College of Commerce. At the buyer’s request, we would be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for guidance only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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About the sale RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS: Antique books § Autographs, rare editions, photographs § Works on paper
Auction location
Auction time 29/10/2026 à 14h30
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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