Fabled queen of Louis XVI of France (1755-1793) whose public execution, along with that of her husband, was the most grisly, visible, and powerful symbol of the political aims of the French Revolution. Highly desirable manuscript DS, in French, signed "Payez, Marie Antoinette," one page, 9.5 x 14.5, October 1, 1786. Headed at the top, "To the Writing-Master of the Pages," Marie Antoinette orders her General Treasurer Marc Antoine Francois Randon de la Tour to make use of "the funds provided by the state for the maintenance and sustenance of many of our officers during the present year," and pay Simon Dessalles, Writing-Master, 136 livres,17 sols, and 6 deniers in cash, "Which we have granted him for his subsistence in consideration of his having taught penmanship to our pages during the Quarter of July, August and September last." She asks that the amount be paid by, "our dear and Well beloved people in charge of the Accounts of the King, our most Honored Lord and Husband in Paris," and requests them to make the payment without difficulty. In fine condition, with paper loss to two corner tips, a bit of mild soiling and creasing, and a small tape repair to reverse. Countersigned by her secretary Nicolas Beaugeard, later wounded defending Louis XVI from a dagger thrust. Dessalle taught penmanship to Marie Antoinette's pages and also to her children. He told the Dauphin to wear a Liberty Bonnet at the start of the Revolution. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA and an attractive hand-colored engraved portrait.
After giving birth to a second son in 1785, just nine months after her rumored lover Count Axel von Fersen's visit, the Queen's behavior came under even heavier scrutiny by the French people. Suspicions of illegitimacy, never-ending court intrigues, and the new purchase of the chateau de Saint-Cloud combined to turn popular opinion sharply against the queen at the start of 1786. A remarkable and highly collectible piece detailing the extravagant spending that led to the impending plight of the Queen.
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