£360 - £500
FRENCH OFFICER RECUPERATING FROM FROSTBITE IN BERLIN - LETTER TO PARIS VIA HAMBURG; 23 Dec. 1812 EL (some reinforced folds and a closed tear slightly affecting the address at top right; almost complete typed transcript & translation) from Captain (later Maréchal) de Castellane (1788-1862) recuperating from frostbite (see previous lot) in "Berlin" to his father in Paris with a faint "PRUSSE/PAR HAMBOURG" on the front and a fine red 3-ring Paris cds (1 Feb.) on the flap, charged "12". The contents - written entirely with his left hand - include; "[Letter] No.130 I hope you slept well... I'm having trouble getting used to straw in Berlin so for a few days it's hard to get used to a bed... I bought this morning a very ugly post-chaise for 500 l. because it is probable that within 15 days I will leave for Paris and that in 3 weeks I will kiss my excellent parents... The King of Bavaria has granted me six crosses but awaiting of course the authorization of the Emperor... My hand is doing very well. I only have very minor pains. One of the most unfortunate inconveniences of my condition is that I cannot give a full account of my days to my excellent father. Writing with my left hand is not easy and what's more it tires my right hand because I have to hold my paper with the thumb which is not frozen... Yesterday I was presented to the Queen of Hardenberg, tomorrow it will be to the King. My [letter] No.129 only left yesterday because the Estafette doesn't come exactly every day...". Rare insight into the dreadful damage caused by the frost on the Retreat from Moscow. [Ex Soluphil auction, June 2011; lot 100, realised 1,892 euros inc. BP.]Cross Reference: FRANCE, GERMAN STATES
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