Manuscript DS in French, signed “Payez, Marie Antoinette,” one page, 9 x 13.75, Versailles, 1785. Marie Antoinette orders the treasurer general of her household, M. Marc-Antoine-Francois-Marie Randon de la Tour, to pay three hundred livres to “the coachman of our stables,” drawn from the money appropriated by the state for the maintenance and subsistence of her officers, for the wine to which they are accustomed. Expertly double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 22.5 x 20.5. In very good condition, with partial edge separations to folds, moderate soiling, and light foxing.
Marie Antoinette’s expenditures to maintain her flamboyant lifestyle and lavish palace were enormous, and she apparently even treated her officers to wine purchased with state funds. During this time she was growing increasingly unpopular, and in 1785 her public image was tarnished beyond repair with the ‘Diamond Necklace Affair,’ when she was implicated in a fraudulent scheme to purchase an expensive necklace. A wonderful example boasting the bold, crisp signature of the infamous queen. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$200.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
