Description:

Chevalier d'Éon
London, England, June 14, 1798
Chevalier D'Eon ALS Re: Peace Between England and France, One of the Earliest Well-Known Transgender Women
ALS

An autograph letter signed by the extraordinary Chevalier D'Éon, then living as a woman in 18th-century England as a political exile of the French state. 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 7.5" x 9", London, dated June 14, 1798. Signed "Ch: D'Eon" and addressed to Jane Kemeys-Tynte. The Chevalier, writing in French, thanks Mrs. Tynte for a basket of goods sent from their home country and expresses their disenchantment with the French Revolution. Hand addressed on verso with a red wax seal. The letter has flattened mail folds and light toning and soiling. Some minor tearing to the address page, not affecting any text. Boldly signed.

A rough translation of the letter reads in part:
" I received your short letter yesterday, along with the few papers enclosed. What it conveyed—stemming from your courageous friendship—was very pleasing to me. I cannot express how much my heart was touched. The kind remembrance you show me, as well as Mis Tynte, touches me greatly, especially in the state of suffering and illness in which I still find myself at my age, exiled from a homeland that is ungrateful and cruel, deprived of my pensions, and my heritage. Our famous Revolution was supposed to make us all happy, and it has made us all miserable. The dignified fruits of a beautiful garden of blind philosophy which tore the true God from our hearts, to plant there the Gods of Egypt—which I ate today in the salad of the beautiful lettuces you sent me. Since I had the honor of dining at your place, I have not seen Mr. Tynte, and you know that I cannot go out. I wish that he may always be in good health …I hope he returns to London soon with peace. I am awaiting that peace as the parched ground awaits rain, the thirsty deer the water of the fountain, and the faithful soul sighs for God."

Charlotte d'Éon de Beaumont or Charles d'Éon de Beaumont, Chevalier D'Eon, (1728 - 1810) was a French diplomat, spy, soldier and famed duelist. One of the earliest well-known openly transwomen in history, D'Éon had androgynous physical characteristics and natural abilities as a mimic and a spy. D'Éon appeared publicly as a man and pursued masculine occupations for 49 years, although during that time, D'Éon successfully infiltrated the court of Empress Elizabeth of Russia by presenting as a woman. From 1777, D'Éon lived as a woman and was officially recognized as a woman by King Louis XVI. However, the pension that had been granted by Louis XV in 1766 was ended by the French Revolution, and D'Eon was forced to sell a large majority of personal possession lest face financial ruin. To earn money after the family properties were confiscated by the French revolutionary government, D'Eon began participating in fencing tournaments until 1796. A lack of feminine "delicacy" notwithstanding, the Chevalier was upheld by feminists such as Mary Robinson and Mary Wollstonecraft as a shining example of "female fortitude" to which British women might aspire. In spite of this, D'Éon's later years in London were marked by financial difficulties. In 1804, D'Éon was sent to a debtors' prison for five months and, following a fall, spent her final four years bedridden, dying in poverty in London at the age of 81.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.5" x 9"
  • Medium: ALS

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