ALS in French, signed “Voltaire,” one page, 5.25 x 7, March 17, 1743. In full (translated): "Would I be impudent if I asked you permission to come and dine with you today? I know that you have a certain Abbe de Valory who is someone whom I would like the whole clergy to resemble, and a police lieutenant [Feydeau de Marville] whom I want to please. But will you not displease me? Have you not too many masters of petitions? Would I not be terribly intruded into your sanctuary? Refuse me if I am profane, and preserve me some goodnesses which are very precious to me, and which I deserve by my tender respect for you, and by the extreme desire I have of to see you at my court more often." In fine condition, with scattered light foxing and toning. This letter is recorded as #1566 in Voltaire's complete correspondence, which states that it may have been sent to Charles-Jean-Francois Henault, a well-known man of letters. The letter shows Voltaire attempting to ingratiate himself among figures of high society, and is an ideal autograph from the great French Enlightenment writer. As he often signed with a single initial, 'V,' this fully signed letter is an especially appealing example.
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