MONGLAVE, Eugène Garay de - Lot 110

MONGLAVE, Eugène Garay de Eugène Garay de Monglave L.A.S. "Eugène G. de Monglave" addressed to Alexandre Vattemare. Paris, s.d. [ca. 1830-1840]. 2 pages in-4 on "Institut Historique" letterhead, with important printed list of founding members in margin. An important and remarkable letter concerning the vast project of international cultural exchange conceived by Alexandre Vattemare, a pioneer of exchanges between European libraries, museums and scholarly institutions. Writing on behalf of the Institut Historique, Monglave acknowledges receipt of a petition addressed to the Chambres : "with the aim of establishing, between the libraries and museums of the different States of Europe, a fraternal exchange of manuscripts, books and objets d'art which they possess in duplicate". He immediately celebrated "a great and generous idea", which he felt would "bear fruit", and assured Vattemare of the support of both the Chamber of Deputies and the Institut Historique, which had unanimously voted to send a letter to the Minister of Public Instruction officially endorsing the undertaking. The letter then takes on a particularly warm and visionary tone: "Courage! Sir, persevere! Good things are not done in a day [...] what thanksgiving will you receive from the studious men of all countries, and what a name you will bequeath to your children!" The extensive postscript goes on to recommend to Vattemare the libraries of Mexico City, Bogota and Rio de Janeiro, considered invaluable for their manuscripts and archives, with Monglave even offering to put him "in direct contact with the governments of these countries". A highly interesting document on the origins of international intellectual and heritage exchanges in the 19th century. Alexandre Vattemare was to play a pioneering role in the circulation of books and public collections, notably in the development of the great American libraries, including the Boston Public Library. A fine copy; folds of correspondence, some marginal wear and foxing, but very well preserved considering its fragility.