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Auction: 322 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 503

French, Naval History. Lot of 18th Century letters: *) Missives of French Naval Officer Phelypeaux, 1709. The five letters written from July to December concern preparations for a sea voyage to "the isles" - most likely the West Indies, and some mercantile endeavors which Phelypeaux and his friend "monsieur de la Motke," a captain of the cavalry in Amiens are engaged. The voyage is delayed, "Mr Lucasse's armament is entirely broken, they are giving" Phelypeaux "one new warship and one frigate", while his debts to a merchant in Paris have "become very big and grow daily". Early on he thanks his friend for "the good duck-pies" he has sent, then later notes "I am heartily sick of pies…" Each letter accompanied by an old typescript translation; *) Letters headed "Bulletin de Paris", January-March 1780. Penned in bold, cursive script, each of the five letters -mostly 2 pages or more - are peppered with references to the court and government of the day. One with minor split along fold and a few small rents, About Fine-Very Fine. Ex the Reverend Paul Harwell Coll. [15]

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