^Lot 308 Jules Mazarin

French cleric and statesman (1601–1662) who, through the influence of Cardinal Richelieu, became Prime Minister of France. He later became minister to the Queen Regent, Anne of Austria, and may have secretly married her. He is best known among antiquarians as the owner of the original copy of Gutenberg’s epochal Bible, credited as the first book printed in movable type, which he bequeathed to the library now known as the Bibliothèque Mazarine. LS in Italian, with a four-line autograph postscript and salutation, signed “II Cardl. Mazarin,” one page, 9 x 10.25, Paris, December 15, 1645. Letter regarding the mission of Abbott Saint Nicolas, sent from the court of Paris to the court of Rome, signed at the bottom by Mazarin. In very good condition, with letter having been professionally silked on the reverse of each page, paper loss to right edge, tape remnant to reverse of second integral page, and scattered soiling.