Lot 101

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Description:

King Francis I of France Treasury Document Signed 4 Months Before his Death

A manuscript document in French on vellum signed by Francis I (1494-1547), French monarch of the Renaissance, as "francoys" at lower right. Dated December 4, 1546, just four months before Francis's death at age 52. Comprised of ten lines of elegant secretarial script dominated by Francis's large signature measuring 2.375" x 1.75" alone. Expected wear including gentle folds, creases, and wrinkles. Lightly soiled. Unevenly trimmed at bottom, measuring 17.25" x 6.5" overall. Else clear, bright, and very legible. The document should yield fascinating discoveries when fully translated! Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from the Gallery of History (Las Vegas, Nevada) dated July 8, 2019 showing that it was purchased for $1,850.

King Francis commanded Jehan La Guette [alternately spelled Laguette], his counselor, treasurer, and Receiver General, to pay certain sums of money (in sous and sols) to Gilles de La Rinive and Mathurin and Jacques des Barres following the death of Jean Thibaulx, the prevost of Mariguy.

The document begins with the humble formula: "Francois par la grace de dieu Roy de France…" or, "Francis by the grace of God King of France…" The commandment was issued by Francis from an unidentified royal residence on "Le iiiieme jour de decembre L'an de grace mil cinq cent quarante six et de ma regne la trente deuxieme…" [trans: "The iiiith day of December The year of grace one thousand five hundred forty six of my reign the 32nd."]

Francis did not achieve military prominence during his 32-year-long reign, but he did succeed in establishing a Golden Age of arts, letters, music, and architecture in France, where Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Benvenuto Cellini flocked to his court.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
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$50,000 + $5,000