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Auction: 21066 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 250

France
King Louis XIV, The Great Cipher
1669 (30 May), 1671 (6 Dec.) and 1672 (6 Nov.) part encrypted letters signed to Pierre de Villars, Marquis de Villars, ambassador to Spain from 1679 to 1681, the second being most heavily encrypted with the majority of text in code, both letters have been deciphered, presumably by the recipient. Both signed "Louis" and countersigned beneath. Scarce and fascinating.

The Great Cipher, developed by the Rossignal family, was used for communication of a sensitive nature, especially when sending messages abroad. The culmination of the Thirty Years War, The Franco-Spanish War and the War of Return had given birth to an atmosphere of mistrust between France and Spain and encrypted messages such as these became in favour.
Pierre de Villars (1623-98) published his 'Memoirs of the Court of Spain' after his experiences in this role.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£1200