Description:

LOUIS XV
(1710 - 1774) King of France who extravagant habits nearly bankrupted the government, settled the Seven Years War which resulted in the loss of most of France's colonial empire and was a low point in French prestige on the Continent. Superb content manuscript L.S. "Louis" as King, 1p. small folio, June 25, 1768 in French to his cousin, the Cardinal of Albi. King Louis writes concerning the death of his wife, Maria Leszczynska, only one day after she had died! Loosely translated, it reads, in part: "...I give the sad news of the death of The Queen, my spouse...the constant piety that accompanied all the activities in her life...an affliction has penetrated my heart, something that asks God for rest...I write you this letter...[to ask] for public prayer in your cathedral...". Folds, light foxing at margins, else very good and worthy of a full translation. Maria was the longest serving queen consort of France, a devoted Roman Catholic, and gave Louis ten children. Louis would die six years later, after taking as his mistress a former prostitute, Madame du Barry.

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May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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