LOUIS XVIII (1755-1824) King of France. L.A.S. "Louis Stanislas Xavier", Hamm November 19, 1793, to Comte de Vaudreuil; 1page in-8, addressed with black wax seal of arms. After the execution of Marie-Antoinette (October 16), and on the despair of Mme de Polignac (who died on December 9). Louis XVIII says "combien la playe de mon cœur est profonde et douloureuse. I would never have believed that I should count revenge among my pleasures, but I feel only too well that it will be one. You knew of my friendship for Mde de Polignac, but since our misfortunes, it has become a sacred object for me. May we not console her, that is impossible, but at least soften her pain"...

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.