Description
Extremely rare ALS in French, signed “Marie Antoinette,” one page, 4.5″ x 7″, August 30, [1786?]. Letter to Marshal Castries, Secretary of State for the Navy, concerning Charles, Prince of Soubise. In part (translated): “I am sorry, Marshal, that you did not ask me to see you yesterday; In spite of the short time that I had available, I would have always found time to see you, and to tell you that I have no response to Mr. de Soubise, he has forgotten for a long time, he and his that they owe me so that I do not occupy myself more with them. It has been six months since I spoke to you, and I can not change my mind.” In fine to very fine condition.
Marshal Prince de Soubise (1715-1787), former Minister of State, had to resign after the infamous ‘Affair of the Diamond Necklace,’ in which his relative, Cardinal de Rohan, had been seriously compromised. In the incident, Marie Antoinette was implicated in a fraudulent scheme to purchase an expensive necklace, tarnishing her public image beyond repair. It is remembered as one of the key events that led to the French populace’s disillusionment with the monarchy and subsequently the French Revolution. This boldly penned letter by Marie Antoinette, alluding to the affair and remaining in incredibly fresh, clean condition, stands as a remarkable piece of history.
