Description:

Mary of Modena LS Sending Christmas Wishes to Important Pope-Electing Italian Cardinal

A 1p manuscript letter in French boldly signed by Mary of Modena (1658-1718), the second wife of James II, and the exiled former queen consort of England, Scotland, and Ireland, as "Maria R" [Maria Regina] at lower right. December 9, 1693. Written at the Ch'teau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, located about 19 km west of Paris, France. Secretarially inscribed on laid paper. Matted and framed behind glass, and displayed to the left of an engraving of "Mary of Modena" after a painting by French portrait artist Alexis Simon Belle, with a small cutaway window verso showing the address leaf and original red wax seal. Expected wear including even toning and wrinkles. Three insect holes scattered throughout affect a total of two words. Else extremely legible and with surprisingly uniform orthography. Near fine. The sight size of the letter signed is 6.5" x 7.5." The engraving shows some scattered minor foxing, else near fine, sight size 4.25" x 6.125." The overall size of the frame is 17.5" x 13" x 1.25." Accompanied by a full English translation.

After James II was deposed from the British throne in favor of his daughter Mary II and William III of Orange following the 1688 Glorious Revolution, the Stuart royal family went into exile in France. They were cordially welcomed by Louis XIV, who permitted them to live in the royal palace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Mary of Modena often enjoyed French court life at Versailles, where she was heralded as a bright and entertaining companion.

It is significant that, as our letter shows, Mary of Modena still signed her name with the abbreviation for the Latin word for queen, even though she was no longer technically a monarch. This was entirely consistent: James II considered his kingship to be a divinely bestowed right, and therefore immutable. Catholic Jacobites considered Mary's son James Francis Edward (the Old Pretender) to be the rightful kingly successor.

The exiled queen wrote this warm and loving letter "To my cousin / The Cardinal Colloredo." The letter recipient, Leandro di Colloredo (1639-1709), was one of the most powerful cardinals in late seventeenth-century Rome. He was from northern Italy, like the Italian-born Mary of Modena. The exact familial relationship between the two, if any, is unknown, and the use of "cousin" could have been a matter of ceremony.

Mary of Modena wrote Cardinal Colloredo, translated in full, with punctuation silently added to enhance clarity:

"My Cousin, The good wishes that you send me again on the occasion of the Holy celebrations of the nativity of our Lord confirm the obligation that I have long had, of the affection with which you interest yourself in all that concerns me. I pray you to be persuaded that I will respond to you always with much sincerity, and that I will see born, with pleasure, more occasions to show you the consideration that I have for your person and merit. However I pray our Lord that this year you can be as happy as you wish me to be. Being,

My Cousin, Your affectionate Cousin

[signed] Maria R

St. Germain
the 9 Decr. 1693."

Cardinal Colloredo belonged to the Confederation of Oratorians of St. Philip Neri, a priestly confraternity without vows, after 1663. He had been made a Cardinal in 1686. He was appointed a Major Penitentiary (a religious official, usually a cardinal, invested with the powers to grant absolution and indulgences) in 1688, and served in that role until his death. In 1693, Cardinal Colloredo served as the Cardinal-Priest at Santi Nereo ed Achilleo in Rome. Cardinal Colloredo would be a decisive participant in three papal conclaves: in 1689, leading to the election of Pope Alexander VIII; in 1691, with the election of Pope Innocent XII; and in 1700, culminating in the election of Pope Clement XI.

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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