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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3022

(x) French Albania (1806-1814)
1813 (Jan. 26). Entire letter from Paris sent by the French Minister of Worship, Félix-Julien-Jean Bigot de Préameneu, to the Bishop of the Diocese of Cattaro (Kotor), Marco Antonio Gregorina, serving in French Albania within the Illyrian Provinces, struck in transit with French "trieste/illyrie" two-line postmark in red. Containing very important information about the agreement reached by Napoleon Bonaparte and Pope Pius VII, written and signed by the Minister, including: "Mister Bishop, I am charged with announcing that yesterday at Fontainebleau a concordat has been reached between His Majesty and His Holiness for the re-establishment of the peace of the Church. For the joy that this great event will cause to the clergy and to all their faithful, whose first sentiments will be a return to prayer, you are authorised to have a Te Deum sung in the church of your Diocese". The Minister thus announced the peace between Napoleon and the Pope, and the letter was sent one day after this event. An extremely rare incoming mail from a French Minister with significant historical relevance.

note: After the conquest of Italy and the Papal States, Napoleon Bonaparte had Pope Pius VII (already a prisoner of the Emperor in Savona) secretly transferred to the Castle of Fontainebleau on 20.6.1812, where he remained confined for 19 months until, under pressure, he agreed to sign a Concordat on 25.1.1813 (one day after this letter was sent). Regarding to this letter, in order to avoid passage through foreign territories, it probably followed a route entirely within French-occupied lands, i.e., from Paris to Lyon, Milan, and Trieste, before being loaded onto a ship to reach its destination at the main Montenegrin port.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £700

Starting price
£350