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Empress Maria Theresa: Gerard van Swieten

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Empress Maria Theresa: Gerard van Swieten

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Auction Date:2015 Mar 11 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Personal physician (1700–1772) of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, who helped to transform the country’s health services and education. ADS in French, twice signed “Van Swieten,” five pages on three sheets, 7.25 x 9.5, February 15, 1762. Van Swieten denounces a maneuver by a person he does not name who would have worded a royal decree in a manner to elude Maria Theresa’s intention to prohibit monks from the order of the Misericordy to sell medicine. In part (translated): “It’s very clear that the order of the Brothers of Misericordy are forbidden to sell medicine. This is the will of Her Majesty…But instead of using the word medicine if the word used is preparations the term is sufficiently unclear to allow the Brothers of Misericordy to continue to sell as before the drugs, pommades, infusions, etc…without formally selling medicine. The decree has been worded in a dubious way to elude Her Majesty’s will. The real measure to enforce Her Majesty’s will is that the Brothers of Misericordy should be forbidden to sell any medicine or preparation, either simple or composed, without any exception. It is really surprising and shocking that anyone would dare such a maneuver.” By the use of the word “preparation,” instead of “medicine,” the monks resumed their usual ways against “Her Majesty’s will.” Maria Theresa’s endorses her trusted adviser denunciation by writing “I have decided as such” and signing with her paraph. In fine condition.