Marie Therese of Spain, Queen of France, Autographed Signed Letter

  

Signed autograph letter, Aranjuez, October 22, 1653, addressed to a Countess. Very rare letter from the youth of the future Queen of France, then Infanta of Spain, daughter of King Philip IV, aged 17.

"My Countess, I am very pleased to receive your letter and to know that my sister (1) is well, and you and I are also thanks to God and very happy. Yesterday, we visited the Campilli (2) and saw the whole house, which is very nice. I know where we will go because I will find out in the morning. Ana and I have not decided yet, but it seems to me that it will be near Castergon. Tell Tuira (4) that I am not writing to her because I don't feel like it, but her letter made me very happy, especially because she used so many colors.

What I ask of you is that even if the Master (5) asks for the letters, you don't show them to him, it's important. At San Lorenzo (6), on October 22, 1653. (1) Her half-sister Margaret Theresa of Austria. (2) Campo meaning field, Campilli could refer to the countryside. (3) Possibly the religious chants of the Capuchin Monastery of Saint Lawrence.

(4) Possibly an affectionate nickname for her half-sister. (5) Probably her father King Philip IV.

(6) San Lorenzo de El Escorial, residence of the King of Spain. Raised quite modestly, surrounded by Franciscan monks, Marie-Thérèse became the heir to the Spanish throne in 1646. However, her father Philip IV, not wishing to pass on his kingdom to a woman, remarried Marie Anne of Austria, who gave him three children, including the future King Charles II of Spain - deformed due to numerous consanguineous ties - and Margaret Theresa of Austria.

This latter half-sister, mentioned in this letter, would be very close to Marie-Thérèse, who would become her godmother and cherish her until her early death in 1673. A few years later, through the treaties of alliance between France and Spain, Marie-Thérèse would be promised to the most powerful king in Europe, Louis XIV.

Professional merchant, certificate of authenticity upon request.