Lot 395

François Arago ALS Mentioning Fellow Astronomer & Brother-in-Law Claude-Louis Mathieu

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François Arago ALS Mentioning Fellow Astronomer & Brother-in-Law Claude-Louis Mathieu

Estimate: $200 - $300

Starting Bid: $70

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

François Arago
Metz, France, December 2, 1843
François Arago ALS Mentioning Fellow Astronomer & Brother-in-Law Claude-Louis Mathieu
ALS

A 2pp autograph letter in French signed by François Arago (1786-1853), the noted French astronomer, mathematician, and physicist, as "F. Arago" - complete with an elaborate paraph - at the bottom of the second page. Saturday, December 2, 1843. Metz, France. Inscribed on bifold paper, with an original integral address leaf also engrossed by Arago. The third page is blank. Several philatelic markings and traces of the seal can be found on the integral address leaf. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, minor ink bleed-through, and isolated tiny closed tears running along a few creases. Else near fine. 5.375" x 8.375".

Arago addressed this letter to his niece, Lucie Mathieu (1813-1900), the daughter of Arago's younger sister Marguerite Arago, and her husband, fellow French astronomer Claude-Louis Mathieu.

Translated in part:

"…I have thus decided to attempt the adventure of getting to Nancy… I will definitively leave this City, tomorrow, Sunday, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, in the stagecoach from Rue Notre Dame des Victoires. Me, then, in a conveyance for two nights. I find that a little hard, but I resign myself. I hope that in arriving I will find Mathieu entirely reestablished and your mother in good health. Your completely devoted uncle, F. Arago."

François Arago was elected a member of the French Academy of Sciences around 1809. He served as an astronomer at the Paris Observatory from 1809 to 1853, and as a lecturer in astronomy at the Paris Observatory from 1812 to 1845, becoming director of the site in 1830. He served as secretary of the French Academy of Sciences after 1830.

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: 5.375" x 8.375"
  • Medium: ALS

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