French prince, general, and pretender to the throne (1621-1686). Autograph letter signed. No place, but probably Château de Chantilly, Oise. 4to. 1 p. on bifolium with integral address panel. Two black wax seals.
$ 3,738 / 3.500 €
(82615/BN53797)
To a Monsieur Forget, probably the nobleman Jean Forget, esteemed for his expertise in falconry, discussing the Prince's most recent acquisition: a Labrador Falcon (Gerfaut d'Islande) just brought in by a local peasant, which he intends to leave in the hands of a courtier named Bernard. The animal does not appear to be hurt, and in particular the wings were not damaged in the capture, but it does seem a bit ruffled, and the Prince would like the animal looked over by Forget. Would he like to send a man to collect the bird, or should the Prince have it delivered by one of his falconers?.
- "Un paisan de deus lieus d'icy ma aporté ce matin un gerfau d'islande qui a vos rerueles dens un panié. Je l'a mis entre les mains de bernar qui ma promis d'en avoir grandsoin. Il ne paroit pas qu'il aie de mal; il n'a point de francs rompues aux ailes; il ce a quelques unes un peu froisées, mais bernar dit que ce n'est rien pour rien qu'en le prenan on ne luy ait point fait de mal dans le corps. J'attendray d'avoir de vos nouvelles avant que de le recevoir. Mandes moy si vous voulez envoier icy quelqu'un pour vous le portir ou si vous voulez qu'on vous le renvoie; en ce cas il envoirai un de mes fauconiers vous le portir [...]". - The Prince of Condé fought for France in the Thirty Years' War, but at its conclusion turned against the monarchy with fellow nobles outraged in what became known as the Fronde rebellion. The coat of arms Condé uses in his wax seals is not that of the Condé branch family, but the house of Bourbon itself. The letter was, however, sent well after his rebellion (and subsequent rehabilitation) during his countryside retirement, which he spent in the company of literary greats such as Bossuet, Pierre Nicole, and Bourdaloue. - A special appreciation of falconry ran in the family of the de Forgets: a descendant, Claude-Édouard, marquis de Forget, would serve under Louis XVI as commandant général de la fauconnerie du Roi. - Traces of old folds; some wrinkling, leaves numbered "no 8" and "no 9" in an old hand. Generally very well preserved with both seals in excellent condition..