897
RICHELIEU CARDINAL DE: (1585-1642) ´ there is plague everywhere and and it is impossible to protect
1/3
Description
RICHELIEU CARDINAL DE: (1585-1642) Armand Jean du Plessis. French Catholic prelate and statesman who served as Chief Minister of State of France 1624-42 under King Louis XIII. The Red Eminence, as he became known, exerted a large influence on civil and religious affairs. A significant L.S., Le Card. De Richelieu, with holograph subscription, two pages, folio, Saint-Jean de Morienne, 17th August 1630, to Claude Bouthillier, in French. Writing at the height of a major plague epidemic in France, Richelieu informs his correspondent of his current situation and travel plans, ´Je me dépêche pour vous dire que je suis parti de Saint-Jean de Morienne, qu'il était temps de quitter avec une grande famille et l'abort des gens que vous savez qui est chez moi. Après l'homme de Du Mont, un de mes laquais est mort fort subitement, cela m'a fait séparer de ma famille. J'en ai envoyé une partie d'un côté vers Grenoble ; l'autre par Aiguebelette pour demeurer vers le Pont de Beauvoisin avec défense d'aller à Lyon. J'ai prié toute la noblesse qui était auprès de moi de prendre tous partis, les uns allant en Piémont, les autres se retirant chez eux, avec ordre de ne passer point par Lyon´ (Translation: ´I am writing to inform you that I have left Saint-Jean de Morienne, as it was time to depart with a large family and the servants you know who are staying with me. After the man from Du Mont, one of my footmen died very suddenly, which forced me to separate from my family. I sent some of them to Grenoble and the others via Aiguebelette to stay near the Pont de Beauvoisin with orders not to go to Lyon. I begged all the nobility who were with me to take all sides, some going to Piedmont, others retiring to their homes, with orders not to pass through Lyon´) and continues ´Mais d'autant que je ne crois pas les Français assez sages pour suivre les conseils et les ordres qu'on leur donne, je vous prie de faire que le roi commande, sur la supplication que je lui en fais, que nul ne soit reçu dans Lyon, qu'il vienne du Piémont, de Saint-Jean de Morienne et de la Savoie, y ayant de la peste de tous côté, et étant impossible de conserver Lyon autrement ; ce qui se peut facilement avec cet ordre´ (Translation: ´But as I do not believe the French to be wise enough to follow the advice and orders given to them, I beg you to ensure that the king orders, at my request, that no one be allowed into Lyon who comes from Piedmont, Saint-Jean de Morienne or Savoy, as there is plague everywhere and and it is impossible to protect Lyon in any other way; which can easily be done with this order´). Richelieu further states ´Je m'en vais seul avec 12 ou 15 des miens au plus. M. le cardinal de Bagne, MM. de Bordeaux, de Chasteneuf et d'Alluye s'en viennent aussi. Notre intention est, quand nous aurons passé Grenoble, de changer d'habits et de toutes choses. Nonobstant toutes ces précautions, mon dessein est de m'arrêter en quelque village proche de Lyon, pour y faire tel séjour que Leurs Majestés jugeront à propos ; tant pour montrer l'exemple, que pour être tout à fait exempt de soupçon de mauvais air. Je recevrai, s'il vous plaît, par le chemin, des nouvelles sur ce sujet´ (Translation: ´I am leaving alone with 12 or 15 of my men at most. Cardinal de Bagne, Messrs. de Bordeaux, de Chasteneuf and d'Alluye are also coming. Our intention is, once we have passed Grenoble, to change our clothes and everything else. Notwithstanding all these precautions, my plan is to stop in a village near Lyon, to remain there for as long as Their Majesties deem appropriate, both to set an example and to be completely free from suspicion of bad air. I will receive news on this subject along the way, if you please´) and warns that ´Les courriers qui viendront dorénavant de l'armée de Piémont et de Savoie doivent être arrêtés aux portes de Lyon, où l'on prendra leurs lettres, que l'on verra après avoir été parfumées´ (Translation: ´Couriers arriving from the armies of Piedmont and Savoy must be stopped at the gates of Lyon, where their letters will be taken and checked after being perfumed´). A final paragraph, in another hand, states ´Monsieur d'Orléans étant décédé je vous prie de m'envoyer les brevets pour M. de Châteauneuf et remercier le roi encore une fois de la grâce qu'il nous a faite. Ce pendant je demeure, Monsieur, votre très affectionné à vous rendre service´ (Translation: ´As Monsieur d'Orléans has died, I beg you to send me the patents for Monsieur de Châteauneuf and to thank the King once again for the favour he has done us. In the meantime, I remain, Sir, your most affectionate servant´). With integral address leaf bearing two small red wax seals. The main body of the letter is in the hand of Denis Charpentier (1580-1647), Richelieu's first secretary, and the last paragraph was written by Pierre Cherré (1607-1689), another of the Cardinal's secretaries from 1629 onwards. A letter of engaging content and historical interest. Some light age wear, a few minor stains, and with occasional small, neat tears to the edges, otherwise VGClaude Bouthillier (1581-1652) Sieur de Fouilletourte, French statesman and diplomat who held a number of offices including Secretary of State and Superintendent of Finances. A shrewd diplomat, Bouthillier enjoyed exceptional favour with all factions of the French court, particularly Richelieu and Marie de Medici. At the height of his power he was the second most powerful man in France after Richelieu himself.The present letter was written during the Black Death epidemic that ravaged Savoy in the summer of 1630, causing thousands of deaths. In May, King Louis XIII, wishing to become master of Savoy, had invaded the country. But after being victorious, he had to turn back in July in the face of the epidemic. On 16th August, the day before writing this letter, the King wrote to Richelieu: ‘My cousin, I am very concerned for you since I heard that Dumont's valet had fallen ill with the plague in your lodgings. I beg you to leave this evil place as soon as you can...’ Richelieu left to join the King in Lyon, where he arrived on 23rd August.The letter demonstrates the vigorous measures Richelieu wished to put in place to ensure that no one who might be carrying the bacillus entered Lyon, and also provides a concrete sense of the dangers of the Black Death and the precautions to be taken: changing clothes and ‘perfuming’ letters before opening them. The Black Death epidemic that struck France between 1628 and 1631 killed around one million people. Experts estimate that a third of the population of Lyon was wiped out during this period.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
RICHELIEU CARDINAL DE: (1585-1642) Armand Jean du Plessis. French Catholic prelate and statesman who served as Chief Minister of State of France 1624-42 under King Louis XIII. The Red Eminence, as he became known, exerted a large influence on civil and religious affairs. A significant L.S., Le Card. De Richelieu, with holograph subscription, two pages, folio, Saint-Jean de Morienne, 17th August 1630, to Claude Bouthillier, in French. Writing at the height of a major plague epidemic in France, Richelieu informs his correspondent of his current situation and travel plans, ´Je me dépêche pour vous dire que je suis parti de Saint-Jean de Morienne, qu'il était temps de quitter avec une grande famille et l'abort des gens que vous savez qui est chez moi. Après l'homme de Du Mont, un de mes laquais est mort fort subitement, cela m'a fait séparer de ma famille. J'en ai envoyé une partie d'un côté vers Grenoble ; l'autre par Aiguebelette pour demeurer vers le Pont de Beauvoisin avec défense d'aller à Lyon. J'ai prié toute la noblesse qui était auprès de moi de prendre tous partis, les uns allant en Piémont, les autres se retirant chez eux, avec ordre de ne passer point par Lyon´ (Translation: ´I am writing to inform you that I have left Saint-Jean de Morienne, as it was time to depart with a large family and the servants you know who are staying with me. After the man from Du Mont, one of my footmen died very suddenly, which forced me to separate from my family. I sent some of them to Grenoble and the others via Aiguebelette to stay near the Pont de Beauvoisin with orders not to go to Lyon. I begged all the nobility who were with me to take all sides, some going to Piedmont, others retiring to their homes, with orders not to pass through Lyon´) and continues ´Mais d'autant que je ne crois pas les Français assez sages pour suivre les conseils et les ordres qu'on leur donne, je vous prie de faire que le roi commande, sur la supplication que je lui en fais, que nul ne soit reçu dans Lyon, qu'il vienne du Piémont, de Saint-Jean de Morienne et de la Savoie, y ayant de la peste de tous côté, et étant impossible de conserver Lyon autrement ; ce qui se peut facilement avec cet ordre´ (Translation: ´But as I do not believe the French to be wise enough to follow the advice and orders given to them, I beg you to ensure that the king orders, at my request, that no one be allowed into Lyon who comes from Piedmont, Saint-Jean de Morienne or Savoy, as there is plague everywhere and and it is impossible to protect Lyon in any other way; which can easily be done with this order´). Richelieu further states ´Je m'en vais seul avec 12 ou 15 des miens au plus. M. le cardinal de Bagne, MM. de Bordeaux, de Chasteneuf et d'Alluye s'en viennent aussi. Notre intention est, quand nous aurons passé Grenoble, de changer d'habits et de toutes choses. Nonobstant toutes ces précautions, mon dessein est de m'arrêter en quelque village proche de Lyon, pour y faire tel séjour que Leurs Majestés jugeront à propos ; tant pour montrer l'exemple, que pour être tout à fait exempt de soupçon de mauvais air. Je recevrai, s'il vous plaît, par le chemin, des nouvelles sur ce sujet´ (Translation: ´I am leaving alone with 12 or 15 of my men at most. Cardinal de Bagne, Messrs. de Bordeaux, de Chasteneuf and d'Alluye are also coming. Our intention is, once we have passed Grenoble, to change our clothes and everything else. Notwithstanding all these precautions, my plan is to stop in a village near Lyon, to remain there for as long as Their Majesties deem appropriate, both to set an example and to be completely free from suspicion of bad air. I will receive news on this subject along the way, if you please´) and warns that ´Les courriers qui viendront dorénavant de l'armée de Piémont et de Savoie doivent être arrêtés aux portes de Lyon, où l'on prendra leurs lettres, que l'on verra après avoir été parfumées´ (Translation: ´Couriers arriving from the armies of Piedmont and Savoy must be stopped at the gates of Lyon, where their letters will be taken and checked after being perfumed´). A final paragraph, in another hand, states ´Monsieur d'Orléans étant décédé je vous prie de m'envoyer les brevets pour M. de Châteauneuf et remercier le roi encore une fois de la grâce qu'il nous a faite. Ce pendant je demeure, Monsieur, votre très affectionné à vous rendre service´ (Translation: ´As Monsieur d'Orléans has died, I beg you to send me the patents for Monsieur de Châteauneuf and to thank the King once again for the favour he has done us. In the meantime, I remain, Sir, your most affectionate servant´). With integral address leaf bearing two small red wax seals. The main body of the letter is in the hand of Denis Charpentier (1580-1647), Richelieu's first secretary, and the last paragraph was written by Pierre Cherré (1607-1689), another of the Cardinal's secretaries from 1629 onwards. A letter of engaging content and historical interest. Some light age wear, a few minor stains, and with occasional small, neat tears to the edges, otherwise VGClaude Bouthillier (1581-1652) Sieur de Fouilletourte, French statesman and diplomat who held a number of offices including Secretary of State and Superintendent of Finances. A shrewd diplomat, Bouthillier enjoyed exceptional favour with all factions of the French court, particularly Richelieu and Marie de Medici. At the height of his power he was the second most powerful man in France after Richelieu himself.The present letter was written during the Black Death epidemic that ravaged Savoy in the summer of 1630, causing thousands of deaths. In May, King Louis XIII, wishing to become master of Savoy, had invaded the country. But after being victorious, he had to turn back in July in the face of the epidemic. On 16th August, the day before writing this letter, the King wrote to Richelieu: ‘My cousin, I am very concerned for you since I heard that Dumont's valet had fallen ill with the plague in your lodgings. I beg you to leave this evil place as soon as you can...’ Richelieu left to join the King in Lyon, where he arrived on 23rd August.The letter demonstrates the vigorous measures Richelieu wished to put in place to ensure that no one who might be carrying the bacillus entered Lyon, and also provides a concrete sense of the dangers of the Black Death and the precautions to be taken: changing clothes and ‘perfuming’ letters before opening them. The Black Death epidemic that struck France between 1628 and 1631 killed around one million people. Experts estimate that a third of the population of Lyon was wiped out during this period.
Autograph Letters, Manuscripts & Historical Documents Auction featuring the Collection of a Leicestershire Gentleman Part I
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1-580
Lots: 581-1140
Lots: 1141-1640
Venue Address
Calle Jerez S/N
Urb. El Real del Campanario
Esc. 12, Bajo B
Estepona
Malaga
29688
Spain
IAA Europe offer an in house shipping service for the convenience of buyers. Lots are securely packed and shipped via courier with full tracking details which will be supplied upon despatch.
Your invoice will include postage, packing and insurance charges.
Important Information
Day One - Lots 1 - 580
Day Two - Lots 581 - 1140
Day Three - Lots 1141 - 1640
Bidding at the auction will be online only.
We offer an in-house shipping service to worldwide destinations.
Terms & Conditions
Buyers Terms & Conditions
1. Interpretation
1.1. "Auctioneers" means " International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. "
1.2. "Catalogue" means the brochure relating to a sale (including any addendum thereto) and any other related documents and advertisements.
1.3. "Conditions" means these terms and conditions of sale
1.4. "Hammer Price" means the price at which a lot is knocked down by the Auctioneers to the Purchaser.
1.5. "Purchaser" means the person who purchases a lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.6. "Seller" means the person who is selling the lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.7. "VAT" means Value Added Tax.
2. Bidding
2.1. The highest bidder for each lot shall be the Purchaser of that lot.
2.2. No person shall be entitled to retract a bid. The Auctioneers reserve the right of refusing any bid without giving any reason and of altering, adding to, dividing, consolidating or withdrawing any lot or lots for sale.
2.3. The Auctioneers reserve the right to fix a reserve price for any lot at a figure no higher than the lower estimate.
2.4. The Auctioneers reserve the right to bid on behalf of the Seller on lots which are subject to a reserve price. The Seller shall not be entitled to bid where the Auctioneers have reserved such a right.
2.5. In the case of a dispute as to any bid the Auctioneers may immediately determine the dispute or put up the lot again at the last undisputed bid or withdraw the lot.
2.6. The Auctioneers will accept written commission bids free of charge from any person who is unable to attend the sale. Bids will also be accepted by telephone and fax at the sender's risk.
2.7. Lots will not normally be sold at less than two-thirds bottom estimate.
3. Payment
3.1. Each Purchaser shall give in his name and address and proof of identity (if required) to the Auctioneers at a sale and shall if required pay such deposit as the Auctioneers may specify.
3.2. The Purchaser shall pay the Hammer Price together with a premium of 30.25% on the Hammer Price (this amount includes VAT and must not be shown separately or claimed as input tax). By the making of any bid the Purchaser acknowledges that his attention had been drawn to this fact and that he assents to the Auctioneers receiving the said commission. A 25% premium will be payable by Purchasers outside the European Union (EU). Zero-rated goods such as books will be subject to a premium of 25% whether within or outside the EU unless entered by a VAT registered Seller.
3.3. Payments for lots must be made in cash, bankers draft or cheque guaranteed by the bank upon which it is drawn. Lots will not be released against cheques from Purchasers unknown to the Auctioneers until cleared by such Purchaser's bank. Payment is accepted by Visa and Mastercard. A surcharge of 3% plus VAT will be levied to accounts settled by credit cards for non EU buyers. Payment is also accepted by most debit cards with no surcharge.
3.4. Overseas clients are requested to settle accounts by USA Dollars or Sterling bank transfer (details upon request), by Euro cheques, by Visa or Mastercard (a surcharge of 3% plus VAT [clients outside the EU exempt from VAT] will be levied to accounts settled by this method) or if payment is made on personal accounts in foreign currency the client is requested to add the equivalent of a further €10 to cover bank conversion charges. The Auctioneer reserves the right to claim back from the Purchasers any shortfall due to bank charges or currency fluctuations on that account.
3.5. No lots will be released by the Auctioneers until receipt of payment in full from the Purchaser.
4. Risk
4.1. All lots shall be the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer.
4.2. The Purchaser shall take all lots in the condition in which he finds them. It is the responsibility of all intending Purchasers to satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the authenticity in the authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot.
5. Liability
5.1. Neither the Seller of any lot nor the Auctioneers make or give nor has any person in the employment of the Auctioneers any authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to any lot and any implied conditions or warranties are excluded.
5.2. All statements contained in the Catalogue as to the authenticity, attribution, genuineness, origin, authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot are statements of opinion only and are not to be taken as or implying statements or representations of fact. Lots are sold subject to all faults and errors in description or otherwise.
5.3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 5.1. and 5.2. of these Conditions in the event of a dispute as to authenticity of any lot(s) the item or items in question should be returned to the Auctioneers within 21 days of receipt by the Purchaser of such lot(s) together with a formal statement by a recognised expert The Auctioneers shall at their option and without admission of liability reimburse the price paid by the Purchaser in respect of such lot(s). This does not constitute an approval service.
5.4. Neither the Auctioneers nor the Seller shall be responsible for any loss, damage or injury occasioned to or sustained by any person on the premises before, during or after a sale save in respect of death or personal injury caused by negligence of the Seller or the Auctioneers.
6. Capacity of Auctioneers
For all purposes of a sale the Auctioneers shall be deemed to be the agent of both the Seller and the Purchaser and they shall not be considered responsible for any default on the part of either the Seller or Purchaser.
7. Delivery
7.1. Lots will only be released once payment in full has been received from the Purchaser.
7.2 An insurance charge of 1.8 % plus VAT will be applied to all invoices for packages sent from our offices
7.3. Postage is subject to VAT at 21% within the EU
7.4. The Auctioneers will provide full customs declarations on the Hammer Price plus the Purchaser's premium and Purchaser's shall be responsible for any customs charges made by the country of import.
7.5. A charge will be made for the packing & shipping of deliveries which is subject to VAT at 21% within the EU.
8. Auctioneers Remedies
In the event that the Purchaser fails to pay for any lot(s) in full pursuant to these Conditions then the Auctioneers shall be entitled:
8.1. to rescind the sale of the relevant lot(s)
8.2. to resell the lot(s) without further notice either by public or private sale and the deficiency (if any) arising from such second sale together with all charges and expenses relating to the same shall be the responsibility of the defaulting Purchaser and shall be recoverable as and for liquidated damages.
9. Jurisdiction
These Conditions shall be governed by Spanish law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Spanish courts.
Online Bidding
International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. offer an online bidding service for bidders who cannot attend the sale, however please be advised that a charge of 3% + VAT is chargeable on all purchases made through any of the online bidding facilities offered.
In completing the bidder registration and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L.
1. You authorise International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L., if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction, and
2. confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. and agree that International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfillment of the sale.
3. confirm that you accept that an additional charge of 3% + VAT will be applied to your invoice for use of an online bidding facility
