1 / 2
an open book with a black border on a black backgrounda close up of a piece of paper with a letter on it
OUEST ENCHERES PUBLIQUES NANTES & RENNES

38 - [EMPIRE] MARIE-LOUISE of Austria (1791–1847), Empress of the…
See original version (French)

Estimate €600 - €800
Sale commission
Description
[EMPIRE] MARIE-LOUISE of Austria (1791–1847), Empress of the French. Letter of appointment on vellum from the ‘Charité Maternel’, in favour of the Baroness of Arthenay; signed by Empress ‘Marie-Louise’ of Austria, Empress and Queen of France, countersigned by the Grand Chaplain of the Empire, Cardinal Joseph Fesch. Dated at the Tuileries Palace on 15 December 1811. 1 oblong quarto leaf (45 x 37 cm); fine copy. Enclosed: FESCH Joseph (1763–1839), Cardinal. Uncle of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vicar General to the constitutional Bishop of Ajaccio (1791), Archbishop of Lyon in 1802, he became the first cardinal of the restored Church (1803). In 1805, he was elevated to the dignities of Grand Chaplain of the Empire, Count and Senator. Napoleon I conferred upon him the title of Prince of the Empire (‘French Prince’) with the style of His Serene Highness in 1807. On 1 August 1810 at the Tuileries Palace, Fesch officiated at the marriage of Napoleon I and the new Empress Marie-Louise. A printed, signed letter (on the letterhead of the Grand Chaplaincy/Secretariat/Society of Eternal Charity) dated 26 December 1811 in Paris; addressee unknown [Baroness d’Arthenay]. ‘Madam, I have the honour of forwarding to you the Certificate by which Her Majesty the Empress appoints you a Dame of the Society of Maternal Charity. I am delighted to have this opportunity to reiterate to you, Madam, the assurance of my highest regard. The Cardinal Grand-Chaplain of the Empire, Secretary-General of the Society of Maternal Charity. J. Card. Fesch”. One folio-sized page (20 x 24.5 cm); fine copy. Appraisal carried out by Pascal GUILLEBAUD. Lot from a voluntary sale.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Manuscripts, Philately and Bibliophilia
Auction location
Auction time 06/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 06/18/2026 at 5:09 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like