Charles de Lorraine, cardinal de GUISE (1524-1574) cardinal, minister to François II and Charles IX. L.S. with autograph compliment "Vre bon frere C. Caral de Lorraine", Fontainebleau July 1560, to Sébastien de L'Aubespine, bishop of Limoges, ambassador to Spain; ¾ page in-fol., address. Request from Catherine de Medicis to release prisoners on Spanish galleys."Le Cappitaine Lisle ma faict entendre qu'en sa faveur la Royne mere escript au Roy d'Espaigne pour la delivrance daucuns siens parens et alliez detenuz prisonniers es galleres dudict sr soubz le Cappitaine Labbe y a six ans passées. Et encores qu'il ne soit besoing d'autre recommandacion que celle de ladicte Dame, si vous en ay je bien voulu fere ce mot pour vous prier dy tenir la main et fere que lesdicts pauvres prisonniers soyent relaschez et mis en liberté"...

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.