Lot 89
89
VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus … Read more
CÉSAR NOSTRADAMUS (1555-1629)

Details
CÉSAR NOSTRADAMUS (1555-1629)
Autograph letter in French, signed 'Nostradame', from Salon, 18 December 1629, 2pp with integral blank leaf and address panel, folio (350 x 238mm.), to Monsieur Hozier 'Chevalier l'ordre du Roy et gentilhomme ordinaire de La maison de sa majesté', saying that his correspondent's letter was delayed because of the plague in Provence which particularly affected Aix 'ou elle a fait journellement des prodigeux ravages, et deplorables mortalités'. His correspondent has just achieved a post at court and, after praising the King, he asks for a pension 'cinq ou six cens francs de pension et non plus' in return for dedicating his History of Provence to His Majesty. This book will consist of 'sept ou huit mille vers heroiques sur les hauts faits de ses victoires' and three further long laudadory poems, 'ayont continuellement la plume en main tout absent et viellard que je suis et pauvre gentillhomme pour aeterniser sa memoire', referring to having met the King on his visit to Provence. He goes on to say that, as regards placing of the Nostradamus arms in his correspondent's forthcoming volume he is happy for his father's name being given an honourable mention, complains about an imposter stealing his name and pays tribute to two patrons. As a postscript he mentions that his brother Charles has died but that the plague has not reached them yet (creased on folds, edges frayed, slight spotting), remains of seal.
Special notice
VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

Lot Essay

César Nostradamus was the second son of the famous French physician and astrologer, Michel. The first complete edition of the Centuries, published posthumously in 1568, was dedicated to him in a dedicatory epistle by his father dated 1555, the year of his birth. César won the title of gentilhomme ordinaire de la chambre from the King, Louis XIII but he is known primarily as a writer, his major work being the Histoire de Provence referred to here, about which critical opinion is divided. He died of the plague near Arles and the main body of his writings is held in the Bibliotheque Nationale and the libraries of Avignon, Carpentras and Aix-en-Provence.

More from Autograph Letters and Printed Books,

View All
View All