Louis XV – Signed Autograph Letter

Autograph letter signed to his grandson, Ferdinand 1st of Parma (1751-1802), son of Elizabeth of France. Versailles, May 2, 1768; 1 page in-4°. Beautiful red wax seal with the arms of France and Navarre. Autograph address on the fourth page: “To my brother, and grandson Ferdinand child of Spain, Duke of Parma, and of Plaisance” Fascinating letter where we delve into the bitter organization of the marriage of Ferdinand and Marie-Amélie, who cannot be done without papal agreement, the king also evoking the painful agony of Queen Marie-Leszczynska: “My very dear little son. The Queen did not attend mass in the chapel yesterday, she is still getting weaker, so you will easily judge how much it is to be feared that she is no closer to her end than to convalescence. I have no news from Spain regarding your marriage. Apparently the King, your Uncle, is waiting for a response from Vienna to write to me. So what difficulty could there be? Mr de Lamballe [Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon] had been better since my last letter, but today he is at the last moment and I will surely notify you of his death the next mail. I embrace you tenderly my very dear grandson..." Letter referenced in the correspondence 'Letters from Louis son-in-law of Louis XV, his son, Ferdinand I, accedes to the throne of Parma. The new duke is only 14 years old. The crowns of France and Spain are working to find him a wife. After a few contenders who were not unanimous, the choice fell on the Archduchess of Austria, Marie-Amélie, sister of Marie-Antoinette, future Queen of France. After obtaining the necessary papal dispensation due to their relationship. The marriage was organized by proxy on June 27, 1769 in Vienna. Ferdinand I is 19 years old and Marie-Amélie is 23 years old. Queen Marie-Leszczynska, daughter of King Stanislas Leszczynski of Poland, married King Louis XV on September 5, 1725. She died on June 24, 1768 at the Palace of Versailles at the age of 65. She is buried in the Saint-Denis basilica Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, prince of Lamballe, married in 1767 Marie-Thérèse-Louise de Savoie-Carignan, princess of Lamballe, known as Madame de Lamballe. He died a year after his marriage, on May 6, 1768, at the Château de Louveciennes.