Important letter on recovering funds held by France - photo 1

Important letter on recovering funds held by France

Lot 177
19.10.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
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$ 504
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 1032829
Lot 177 | Important letter on recovering funds held by France
Estimate value
$ 1 000 – 1 500
Anne Louise Germaine Necker, Baronne de STAËL-HOLSTEIN (1766-1817). Autograph letter signed ("Necker de Stael") to Lady Bessborough, Coppet, 20 May 1815.

In French. Two pages, bifolium, 250 x 203mm (small loss from seal tear on integral transmittal leaf, several marginal tears repaired, mild toning). Addressed in another hand on the transmittal leaf.

An important letter concerning her negotiations with Napoleon for the recovery of over two million livres owed her by the French government. Madame de Staël spent a large portion of her life attempting to recover the funds that had been deposited in the treasury by her father, Jacques Necker, as a loan to the French treasury in 1778. At the time of writing, she was particularly anxious to receive the money as a dowry for her daughter Albertine who was engaged to the Duc de Brogile. Louis LVIII had promised repayment, but was unable to make good before Napoleon escaped from Elba. Here she writes, with great indignation, "one might think that Napoleon's sole aim has been to turn my life upside down, for he landed the very day my repayment order was signed and since the fortune of M. de Broglie is not sufficient without all of mine I regard the marriage as impossible at present." Napoleon was anxious to gain her support but whether her desire for the funds overcame her hatred for the Emperor has remained obscure. On 17 April she wrote Madame Récamier that she would cease all opposition to Napoleon if the debt was repaid. But in this letter, she takes the opposite view: "The Emperor has not only revoked my exile but has had it said to me that if I return to Paris he will maintain the liquidation of the debt ordered by the King. But an invincible sentiment prevents me from going there ad I remain. he is going to torment me to go to Paris now as before he tormented me not to go there." Provenance: Christies, 8 March 1978, lot 70.
Artist:Madame de Staël (1766 - 1817)
Place of origin:France
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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