[Literature] [Three Musketeers] Louis XIII of France, Manuscript Letter, Signed
The "Original" Three Musketeers
No place, September 20, 1634. One sheet, 2pp, Manuscript letter in French, signed by King Louis XIII of France to his Secretary of State, Claude Bouthillier:
"I am sending you three of my musketeers, whom I have chosen to lead the companies at Philipsbourg...You can present them to my Cousin the Cardinal Richelieu. Speak to Messieurs de Bulion and Boutilier about giving '2 montres' to the Scotch Guard, which are due to them from last year, which is only just and right. Assure my Cousin the Cardinal Richelieu of the continuation of the great affection I feel for him...(P.S) Send me news of Brussels and Breda when there is any."
Creasing from old folds; scattered ink stains, remnants of wax seals; window-mounted to sheet, housed in brown straight-grain morocco folder, stamped in gilt, extremities worn and rubbed; green morocco book-plate of John L. Clawson mounted to front paste-down. Bound with: Anne of Austria, Manuscript Letter, signed September 9, 1650. 4 pp.; Gaston, Duc d'Orleans, Autograph Letter, signed. August 9, 1636. 1 p.; Philippe I, Duc d'Orleans, Manuscript Letter, signed. February 13, 1675. 4 pp. Each tipped-in, or window-mounted to sheets, with portrait engravings, English translations, or previous bookseller's descriptions. Condition varies.
Rare and possibly unique manuscript letter signed by King Louis XIII of France (1601-43) presenting three musketeers to his cousin and closest advisor, Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642).
The term "musketeer" was coined by Louis XIII in 1622 with the creation of the Mousquetaires du roi, an elite armed group of the King's household guard, charged with protecting him outside royal residences. Other musketeer companies were soon established for those closest to the King, including Cardinal Richelieu, and his children or siblings. French Royalty was protected by these units for almost 150 years, until they were disbanded by Louis XVI in 1776.
Recruitment into musketeer units was highly sought after due to the close proximity to the King and his inner circle. Second- or third-borne sons of aristocratic families, men of lesser gentry, or even commoners filled out the ranks and often retired into higher socio-economic status. The musketeers who formed the historical basis for the fictional characters of Aramis, Athos, Porthos, and D'Artagnan, all hailed from different backgrounds and levels of society.
Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan (1611-1673), was captain of the guard under Louis XIV, and inspired a heavily fictionized account of musketeer exploits written by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras, first published in 1700.
Novelist Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) came across the story while researching the reign of Louis XIV, and credits the work in the preface to his own famous novel The Three Musketeers, first published in 1844.
A fine letter by the historical King Louis XIII ordering his famous musketeers, one that is impossible to read now without evoking to their modern, romanticized interpretations.
This lot is located in Philadelphia.