A rare letter by the most famous French courtisan of the 17th century

L'Enclos, Anne de, known as Ninon de Lenclos, French courtisan and femme de lettre (1620-1705). Autograph letter signed "Lanclos".

€ 9.500,00

Exceedingly rare unpublished letter of recommendation for an unnamed captain, probably her legitimized son Louis François de La Boissière de Mornay (c. 1655-1730), who served in the Royal marine: "Songes au capitaine que vous aves obligé tant de fois Monsieur je sais que pour faire du bien il ne faut point d'autre raison que celle de vos nobles inclination mais je ne pretans pas leur devoir tout quil y ait quelque chose pour lestime et lamitie que je conserve pour vous et pour celle que vous m'aves fait l'honneur de me prometre".

A letter with almost identical wording but in smaller format that Lenclos had addressed to her lover, the important diplomat and Commissaire général de la marine François d'Usson de Bonrepaus (1654-1719), was sold in auction in 2002. Given the monumental format of the letter at hand, it can be speculated that it was addressed to a high dignitary. We do know that Lenclos used her connections to Bonrepaus and other high-ranking marine officers to further the career of her son issued from the long-lasting affair with Louis de Mornay, Marquis de Villarceaux, a famous military, courtier, and intimate of Louis XIV.

Somewhat stained and creased.