LEFEBVRE DU RUFLÉ (Noël Jacques) - Lot 175

LEFEBVRE DU RUFLÉ (Noël Jacques) Pont-Audemer, 1792–1877. French politician, representative of the Eure department, Minister of Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works during the Second Empire. Autograph letter signed to “My dear Mr. Boulard,” Quigny (?), Wednesday, February 5, 1834, 2 pp. in-8, brown ink on folded paper with autograph address and preserved postmarks. An important autograph signed letter, written prior to his ministerial tenure, in which Lefebvre du Ruflé responds at length to his correspondent regarding Madame Wendel and the troubling situation of her family. The tone is particularly lively and almost novelistic. The author describes her reckless spending in very vivid terms: “finishing off her children through a thousand extravagant expenses” and again: “she is packing her trunks for a grand journey on which she intends to spend some twenty thousand francs ” The letter then takes an almost dramatic turn: “furious that she cannot hasten our ruin” The author discusses the condition of Madame Wendel’s son, the ongoing estate matters, the attempt to sell land, as well as a dispute with the notary in charge of the power of attorney. A very interesting passage on personal property: “The clock and two valuable vases have been removed from her home” A particularly vivid document blending family news, inheritance matters, and financial difficulties. Beautifully presented, with a handwritten address on the reverse and postmarks from 1834, adding to its bibliophilic and historical charm. In good condition despite normal creases, minor marginal imperfections, and old stamp marks.