LA CHAMBRE (François de). - Lot 259

LA CHAMBRE (François de). Physician to Louis XIV. P.S. "La Chambre". 1668. Vellum in-8 oblong. Rare autograph receipt from François de La Chambre, médecin ordinaire du Roi, relating to the payment of his appointements for the year 1668: "...Pour servir de quittance à Monsieur Gon de Vassigny, trésorier général de la maison du Roy, de la somme de dix huit cent livres pour mes gages de médecin ordinaire du Roy de l'année mil six cent soixante huict..." This document illustrates the administrative workings of the Maison du Roi during the reign of Louis XIV, and the system of salaries attributed to officers attached to the sovereign's personal service. La Chambre belonged to a family of renowned 17th-century physicians, and practiced at Court in an environment marked by the growing influence of Parisian academic medicine. Beautiful, sober manuscript on vellum, with a clear autograph signature on verso. Bends, small pinholes and traces of old use.