Lettre de vœux manuscrite signée par Louis XVI adressée au cardinal Ludovico Calini

Letter written by a secretary and signed by Louis XVI, addressed to Cardinal Ludovico Calini, in ink over eleven lines. The signature of Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes, appearing at the foot of the bifolium, accompanies that of the King for these New Year wishes. The recipient's name is inscribed on the verso: "Mon Cousin le Cardinal Calino".

A few waterstains, a small hole at "qu'il vous ait".

"My Cousin, I have seen with pleasure from your letter of October 1st the token of the sincerity of the wishes you express for me at the beginning of this year. Your good intentions are as well known to me as you must be certain of my desire to give you proof of my esteem and affection. Whereupon I pray God that He may have you, My Cousin, in His holy and worthy keeping. Written at Versailles the 31st of January 1776." (our own translation). 

Louis XVI was twenty-two years old when he wrote this letter, having reigned for barely two years. The recipient, Cardinal Ludovico Calini, had been appointed Camerlengo of the Sacred College in 1774 at the King's accession and was by then holding one of his last ecclesiastical offices.

An intimate exchange between Louis XVI and Cardinal Ludovico Calini, in which the King returns "the sincerity of the wishes" extended to him for the New Year of 1776.