ALS in French, signed “Ferd. deLesseps,” one page, 5.25 x 8, no date, but 1884. Letter to Louis Pasteur, whom he addresses as “My dear friend and colleague.” In full (translated): "I'm writing you at the request of Madame de Lesseps concerning an accident which doesn't distress me at all. One of our children, four years old, was playing with a little dog two days ago. The puppy, three weeks old, is perfectly healthy. It is suckled by its hunting dog mother, my dog, who is also healthy. He suffered a small bite on the cheek. A scratch with a small amount of blood. Ever since then the dog has been locked up, has been drinking, and has acted normally. As for the child, he continues to sleep well, has a good appetite and moves around quite a lot. I therefore ask you, if you think as I do, that there is no possible danger please write and let me know.” After his signature, deLesseps adds “I'd like to add that I applied phenol to the scratch immediately after the accident which caused no pain at all." In the upper left corner, Pasteur adds a brief handwritten endorsement, in French, “Received at Arbois Sept. 14, 1884. Immediate reply. L. P.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, slight mounting remnants to reverse, and a mild shade of toning. Pasteur first tested his rabies vaccine in July of 1885 on a nine-year old boy. It proved successful and Pasteur was hailed as a hero. The first of the Pasteur Institutes was also built on the basis of this achievement. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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