RARE Autograph and Book Auction October 17th
A fine Handwritten and Signed Receipt by Voltaire about a partial payment of debt for the Duke of Wuerttemberg. In fine condition from an old collection.
Charles-Eugène, Duke of Wuerttemberg and count of Montbéliard, notoriously in debt, had borrowed a considerable sum from Voltaire. When the Duke was unable to repay him, he had to offer him his castle of Montbéliard instead. When Voltaire died in 1778, Charles-Eugène had still not settled his debts.
Translated in Full:
I received from Monsieur Rose, Seven thousand pounds for the
quarter due on the last of December 1769 of my life annuity
on Montbelliard: made at the castle of Ferney 11 February 1770
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet (French; 21 November 1694 – 30 May 1778), known by his nom de plume M. de Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, satirist, and historian. Famous for his wit and his criticism of Christianity (especially of the Roman Catholic Church) and of slavery, Voltaire was an advocate of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state. Voltaire was granted a pension of 2,000 francs by the regent. He loaned money at ten per cent.
VOLTAIRE Signed Receipt about a partial payment of debt for the Duke of Wuerttemberg
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