132 - CONDÉ (Louis II de Bourbon, Prince of), known as the Grand Condé, 1621–1686.

CONDÉ (Louis II de Bourbon, Prince of), known as the Grand Condé, 1621–1686. Autograph letter, “Louis de Bourbon,” undated, February 14, 1679, 3/4 of a page, small in-4 format, to the Bishop of Autun (handwritten address), red wax seals bearing the coat of arms on pink silk, preserved (provenance: Charavay Catalog 809, May 1994, no. 44162). Includes its original certificate of export for cultural property issued by the Ministry of Culture. An interesting letter from the Grand Condé to the Bishop of Autun, revealing the political and social networks that still surrounded the prince in the final years of his life. A former confidant of the Conti family and a long-standing associate of the House of Condé, Gabriel de Roquette (1624–1707), Bishop of Autun since 1666, held an important position in the political life of Burgundy, the province of which Condé was governor. As much a man of the court as a prelate, he appears here as a true intermediary, relaying confidential information, recommendations, and plans for visits to the prince. Condé initially shows himself to be particularly intrigued by the news his correspondent has shared regarding the young Louis de Bourbon, Count of Vermandois (1667–1683), the legitimized son of Louis XIV and Louise de La Vallière, then aged eleven: “I will say nothing of what you have told me regarding Monsieur de Vermandois, and I am very eager to learn what else you have to say on the matter.” The very caution of the wording—Condé clearly refusing to put in writing what had been reported to him—suggests some court secret directly concerning the royal entourage, the details of which Roquette reserves for a later communication. The prince then expressed his delight at the announced visit of Le Tellier and Villeroy: “Nothing would give me greater joy than to see Messrs. Le Tellier and de Villeroy here, but I ask that I be notified a few days in advance.” Finally, he promises to intercede with his former comrade-in-arms, the Duke of Luxembourg (François-Henri de Montmorency, 1628–1695)—one of the most brilliant captains of the reign and a former lieutenant of Condé—in a matter concerning a certain Mr. de Rochefort: “I will speak with Mr. de Luxembourg regarding what you have written to me concerning Mr. de Rochefor[t].” A fine letter characteristic of Condé in his later years: having retired from the battlefield after an extraordinary military career, the victor of Rocroi remained, through his immense prestige and his friendships, at the center of a dense network of information, recommendations, and influence at the court of Louis XIV. Also included from the same period: - L.A.S. “Louis de Bourbon,” At the camp near Philippsburg, November 1, 1644, to Mr. de Magaloty, Marshal of the King’s Camps and Armies, 1 p., small in-4, autograph address. Letter written at the end of the 1644 campaign, as Condé was preparing to return to France. Philippsburg, captured by the Imperial forces in January 1635, had just been recaptured a few weeks earlier by Turenne: “[…] I am sending Barbentane to inform you of my decision. I ask that you promptly carry out whatever he tells you on my behalf. I trust that the orders I have sent you will be carried out, and I ask that you hold me in high regard and keep me frequently informed of your news[…]” - L.A.S. “Louis de Bourbon,” Merlou (now Mello, Oise, family estate of the Montmorency family), October 31, 1641, 1 p. in-8: “Sir, I received this morning the letter in which you instruct me not to go to Paris today because of the smallpox […] My mother also begs you to let her know how you would like her to handle matters […]"" Collectible cold-stamped heraldic seals. Includes its original cultural property export certificate from the Ministry of Culture.