Description:

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
n.p., "dimanche matin" ["Sunday morning"]
Marquis de Lafayette ALS Re: 1776 - Almost Certainly the American Revolution - Plus Enlightenment Philosophes!
ALS

A 1p autograph letter in French signed by American Revolutionary war hero Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) as "Lafayette" at the center. N.d., but "dimanche matin" ["Sunday morning."] N.p. Inscribed on bifold paper. Including an integral address leaf addressed to "Madame / Madame Raimbaux, / Rue de Zelder No. 5 / Paris." The inner pages are blank. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, including some with minor closed tears. Isolated pin holes and chipped edges, with scattered foxing and edge darkening. There are impressions of a red wax seal on the address leaf. Else very good to near fine. 6" x 7.375."

The Marquis de Lafayette addressed this courtly letter to "Madame Raimbaux," referring to the stage name of Agathe Alexandrine Gavaudan (1801-1877), a French opera singer. Madame Raimbaux - who was reported as singing in either the mezzo soprano or contralto ranges - specialized in Italian repertoire. Madame Raimbaux heralded from a storied family of French opera stars, including her father, tenor Jean Baptiste Saveur Gavaudan; and her mother, soprano Alexandrine Marie Agathe Gavaudan-Ducamel. Lafayette's reference to "memories of a more ancient gratitude beginning in the year 1776, to the name she bears" must by necessity refer to either Madame Raimbaux's parents' families, or that of her husband, Antoine François Victor Raimbaux, since Agathe herself was born nearly a generation after 1776.

Lafayette's mention of 1776 almost certainly refers in some way to the American Revolution, although in what way remains unclear. Lafayette's role in the Revolutionary War is well-documented; he was promoted to the rank of Major General in the Continental Army by Continental Congressional vote in July 1777, shortly after arriving in America to begin his unpaid military service.

Translated in full, with punctuation silently corrected to improve legibility:

"When I learned that Madame Raimbaux was giving a concert I duly promised myself to attend; the feeling only increased after receiving the amiable note which she made me the honor of writing. My children were proposing to accompany me; but unfortunately this is the day of the soirée reception of M. de Tracy, head of the family of my daughter-in-law. I will leave it [the reception] as soon as I will be able to, in order to attend the concert. I am very happy to combine with my recent gratitude towards her, the memories of a former gratitude beginning in the year 1776, to the name she bears, and I pray she accepts the assurance of my respectful attachment.

Lafayette

Sunday morning."

Lafayette also mentions in his letter "M. de Tracy, head of the family of my daughter-in-law." This referred to Antoine Destutt, Comte Tracy, a French Enlightenment philosophe. Lafayette's oldest son, Georges Washington de Lafayette (1779-1849), married Comte Tracy's daughter, Émilie Destutt de Tracy, in 1802.

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: 6" x 7.375"
  • Medium: ALS

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