"One day you will be able to serve the state": under the supervision of the Sun King

Louis XIV, King of France (1638-1715). Autograph letter signed.

€ 35,000.00

Beautiful letter to his son Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, Count of Toulouse, during the Nine Years' War: "Jay receu vostre lettre du 19 avec les Cartes qui y estoient jointes continués a men envoier ou tous les camps que larmée ou vous estes soient marqués et travaillés autant que vous pouvés a vous instruire pour estre un jour capable de servir lestat. Mandés moy tout ce qui se passera qui en vaudra la peine. Il ne me reste qua vous assurer de mon amitié qui durera tant que vous la meriterés par la vostre et par vos actions" ("I received your letter of the 19th with the maps that were attached to it. Continue to send [maps] to me, where all the camps of the army of which you are part are marked, and work as much as you can in order to instruct yourself, so that one day you will be able to serve the state. Inform me of every change that is worth noting. I can only assure you of my friendship, which will last as long as you deserve it by yourself and by your actions").

Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon (1678-1737) was the last legitimate son of Louis XIV. At the age of five he was named Admiral of France, and following his participation in the Nine Years' War on the Spanish Netherlands front, he rose to the honorary rank of lieutenant general of the King’s armies. In his actual military career, Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon successfully commanded the French fleet in the Battle of Málaga (1704). During the regency he served as minister of the Navy.

Minor browning and minimal tears to the folds.