Lot

900

FOUQUET NICOLAS: (1615-1680)

In Autograph Letters, Manuscripts & Historical Do...

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Estepona, Malaga
FOUQUET NICOLAS: (1615-1680) Marquis of Belle-Île and Vicount of Melun and Vaux. Fouquet was the Superintendent of Finances of France 1653-61 under King Louis XIV. He was noticed in his youth by Cardinal Richelieu who gave him important positions in the government and later advised him on this career choice. When Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642, Fouquet was successful in impressing his successor as chief minister, Cardinal Mazarine, who became his protector. After a glittering career, and having acquired enormous wealth, he fell out of favour, accused of embezzlement of the State´s funds and of lèse-majesté, disrespect to the King. For these reasons, Louis XIV had him imprisoned from 1661 until his death in 1680, the last sixteen years in the prison fortress of Pignerol, in the Alps (in what is now Italy), where he remained incarcerated in harsh conditions until his death. Extremely rare L.S., `Fouquet´, two pages, 4to, Paris, 3rd January 1659, to the Presidents Treasurers of France of the Finances offices in Bordeaux, in old French. The interesting content letter refers to the Kingdom finances and to the Taillon tax, at a time of difficult financial situation for the Kingdom, stating in part `Je vous envoie copies collationnées de deux arrêts du conseil. L´un concernant les gages des officiers des mar. Et l´autre pour les canons qu´il convient de prendre pour l´assurance des deniers du Roi. A quoi je vous prie de tenir la main suivant le devoir de vos charges, et de continuer surtout à travailler pour faire compter les receveurs généraux et particuliers du taillon depuis 1647… étant raisonnable que Sa Majesté soit secourue de ce qu´elle fait imposer sur son peuple…´ (Translation: “I am sending you enclosed copies of two council decrees. One concerning the wages of the officers of the navy. And the other for the taxes that should be taken for the insurance of the King's funds. To which I ask you to hold the hand according to the duty of your responsibilities, and above all to continue to work to have the general and particular receivers of the taillon counted since 1647... being reasonable that His Majesty be helped from what he imposes on his people...'”) Further Fouquet set things straight, saying `Vous avez intérêt… à éclaircir les affaires de Sa Majesté, et faire des deniers à l´épargne, l´établissement des bureaux n´étant fait que pour cela…´ (Translation: “It is in your interest... to clarify His Majesty's affairs and to save money, the establishment of the offices being made only for that...”) With address leaf, bearing to small and attractive crowned red wax seals in fine condition. Small creasing, otherwise GIn 1641, the 26-year old Fouquet purchased the manor of Vaux-le Vicomte, a small castle located 50 km south-east of Paris. He spent enormous sums over a period of 20 years building a château on his estate. In terms of its size, magnificence and interior decor, the chateau was the forerunner of the Palace of Versailles. Fouquet gathered rare manuscripts, paintings, jewels and antiques in profusion, and above all surrounded himself with artists and authors such as La Fontaine, Corneille or Molière. On 17th August 1661, Louis XIV was entertained at Vaux-le-Vicomte with a sumptuous fête, including a lavish meal served on gold and silver plates for hundreds of members of the court; there were also fireworks, a ballet and light shows. The King was astounded by this display of luxury. The splendour of the entertainment only aggravated Fouquet's precarious position by calling attention to the immense gap between his ostentatious wealth and the visible poverty of the crown. These extravagant expenditures and displays of the superintendent's wealth ultimately intensified the ill-will of the King. After his fall, Colbert admitted that "Fouquet managed to conduct his robbery while keeping his hands clean”.
FOUQUET NICOLAS: (1615-1680) Marquis of Belle-Île and Vicount of Melun and Vaux. Fouquet was the Superintendent of Finances of France 1653-61 under King Louis XIV. He was noticed in his youth by Cardinal Richelieu who gave him important positions in the government and later advised him on this career choice. When Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642, Fouquet was successful in impressing his successor as chief minister, Cardinal Mazarine, who became his protector. After a glittering career, and having acquired enormous wealth, he fell out of favour, accused of embezzlement of the State´s funds and of lèse-majesté, disrespect to the King. For these reasons, Louis XIV had him imprisoned from 1661 until his death in 1680, the last sixteen years in the prison fortress of Pignerol, in the Alps (in what is now Italy), where he remained incarcerated in harsh conditions until his death. Extremely rare L.S., `Fouquet´, two pages, 4to, Paris, 3rd January 1659, to the Presidents Treasurers of France of the Finances offices in Bordeaux, in old French. The interesting content letter refers to the Kingdom finances and to the Taillon tax, at a time of difficult financial situation for the Kingdom, stating in part `Je vous envoie copies collationnées de deux arrêts du conseil. L´un concernant les gages des officiers des mar. Et l´autre pour les canons qu´il convient de prendre pour l´assurance des deniers du Roi. A quoi je vous prie de tenir la main suivant le devoir de vos charges, et de continuer surtout à travailler pour faire compter les receveurs généraux et particuliers du taillon depuis 1647… étant raisonnable que Sa Majesté soit secourue de ce qu´elle fait imposer sur son peuple…´ (Translation: “I am sending you enclosed copies of two council decrees. One concerning the wages of the officers of the navy. And the other for the taxes that should be taken for the insurance of the King's funds. To which I ask you to hold the hand according to the duty of your responsibilities, and above all to continue to work to have the general and particular receivers of the taillon counted since 1647... being reasonable that His Majesty be helped from what he imposes on his people...'”) Further Fouquet set things straight, saying `Vous avez intérêt… à éclaircir les affaires de Sa Majesté, et faire des deniers à l´épargne, l´établissement des bureaux n´étant fait que pour cela…´ (Translation: “It is in your interest... to clarify His Majesty's affairs and to save money, the establishment of the offices being made only for that...”) With address leaf, bearing to small and attractive crowned red wax seals in fine condition. Small creasing, otherwise GIn 1641, the 26-year old Fouquet purchased the manor of Vaux-le Vicomte, a small castle located 50 km south-east of Paris. He spent enormous sums over a period of 20 years building a château on his estate. In terms of its size, magnificence and interior decor, the chateau was the forerunner of the Palace of Versailles. Fouquet gathered rare manuscripts, paintings, jewels and antiques in profusion, and above all surrounded himself with artists and authors such as La Fontaine, Corneille or Molière. On 17th August 1661, Louis XIV was entertained at Vaux-le-Vicomte with a sumptuous fête, including a lavish meal served on gold and silver plates for hundreds of members of the court; there were also fireworks, a ballet and light shows. The King was astounded by this display of luxury. The splendour of the entertainment only aggravated Fouquet's precarious position by calling attention to the immense gap between his ostentatious wealth and the visible poverty of the crown. These extravagant expenditures and displays of the superintendent's wealth ultimately intensified the ill-will of the King. After his fall, Colbert admitted that "Fouquet managed to conduct his robbery while keeping his hands clean”.

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

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