Empress of Russia, 1762–96. She murdered her husband, Peter III, and proclaimed herself Czarina in 1762. ALS in French, signed “Catherine,” one page, 7.5 x 9, no date. Letter to the Count of Munich. In full (loosely translated): “I am very satisfied that the horrors of Merchant Titiens and of his companions of iniquity are being uncovered continue this affair as you have commenced it. It is no longer so cold here as the first days, but the road between the city and here could be harmful to a convalescent. I am well and am returning very soon. You may well say that the well being of the Empire will not suffer from my sojourn here. From this be in good health.” Matted and framed to an overall size of 13.75 x 16. In fine condition, with intersecting mailing folds, and a couple pencil notations to edges.
One wonders what to what horrors the czarina is referring here. No matter, it’s a safe bet that they are not nearly as horrific as the assassination of your unpopular husband in order to seize control of the country. Count Munich was the individual who ambitiously recommended to Catherine the Great that the Russian empire include Turkey. Other world leaders viewed the likelihood of such an advance unlikely, yet it was Munich’s continued urging that led the Russian leader to embark on a crusade that would become the the Russo-Turkish War, beginning 1768. Historians view the war, masterminded by Count Munich himself, was but a small part of the continuous process of expansion of the Russian Empire southwards and eastwards during the 18th and 19th centuries. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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