Every day Sophie Dupre presents two items from her large stock of signed photographs, autograph letters, autographs for sale, royal memoralbilia and antiquarian manuscripts.
The photographs are presented with the catalogue descriptions.
October 05
ON THIS DAY
On this day in 1658 Mary of Modena was born. She was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland as the second wife of James II and VII. A devout Catholic, Mary married the widowed James, the younger brother and heir presumptive of Charles II In 1880 Jacques Offenbach died. He was a German-born French composer, cellist and impresario of the romantic period.
SEEKING A MATCH FOR HER BROTHER MARY OF MODENA (Beatrice, 1658-1718, wife of James II, 1673, daughter of Alfonso IV d’Este, Duke of Modena and Reggio) Fine Autograph Letter Signed ‘Maria R’, in French with translation, to the Dowager Grand Duchess of Tuscany, (VITTORIA della ROVERE, 1622-1694, wife, 1633, of Ferdinando II de’ Medici, 1610-1670), saying she is writing in her own hand “this mark of the confidence I have in your friendship, since it concerns the happiness of a brother whom I love extremely, namely the Duke of Modena”, (FRANCESCO II d’ESTE, 1660-1694, who succeeded at the age of two), who “desires most ardently to have the honour of an alliance with your house ... you could not oblige me more”, she hopes “that, with the blessing of Heaven”, her brother’s “good fortune would be reciprocal”, she wishes to prove to herself that the Dowager Duchess “will not be dissatisfied in undertaking to display in this way the regard that you have for one, who is, in all sincerity and affection, Your very good sister”, with two good impressions of her gem-like seal impaling Modena with Great Britain, 2 sides 4to. and autograph address leaf, Whitehall, 28th March 1681 55151
OFFENBACH (Jacques, 1819-1880, German-born French Composer of Operettas) Autograph Letter Signed, in French with translation, to ‘Dear Sir’, asking if he would kindly insert “these few lines in your tomorrow’s number”, 1 side 8vo. and conjugate blank, Theatre des Bouffes Parisiens, Paris, 11th December, year pencilled in another hand 1860 52521
Click on images to view more details