Autograph draft of two letters : place not specified, to Frederick the Great and to Wilhelmine, Margrave of Bayreuth, [1757 Sept. 25].

Record ID: 
309328
Accession number: 
MA 986.33
Author: 
Voltaire, 1694-1778.
Credit: 
Purchased by J.P. Morgan Jr., 1923.
Description: 
1 item (4 p.) ; 23.5 cm
Notes: 

A retained draft of two letters: the first (p. 1-3) is to Frederick the Great; the second (p. 3-4) is to Frederick's sister Sophia Friderika Wilhelmina von Preussen, margravine of Bayreuth.
The first letter draft is labeled "Au roi de Prusse;" the second letter draft is labeled "à [Madame] la margravine de Bareith."
The text of the draft to Frederick the Great differs slightly from the printed version.
Part of a large collection of letters from Voltaire to Frederick the Great. Letters have been cataloged individually; see collection-level record for more information.

Summary: 

Inquiring about his military progress; comparing him to Charles XII; discussing his glory and his reputation in France; mentioning "Caton and Oton"; discussing his relationship with Frederick; telling him about his ideas for peace; recommending contacting directly the maréchal de Richelieu [Louis François Armand du Plessis].

Provenance: 
Charavay sale (Paris, 17 April 1880), p. 11, in no. 28; Morrison collection; Sotheby's (London, 19 April 1918), p. 289, in no. 1768; purcahsed by J.P. Morgan Jr. from the London dealer J. Pearson & Co. in 1923.