ELEONORA LUISA (Princess, 1686-1742, daughter of Vincenzo Gonzaga, 1634-1714, from 1692 Duke of Guastalla, and wife, 1709, of Francesco Maria de' Medici, 1660-1711, brother of Cosimo III and Duke of Rovere)

Autograph Letter Signed and Subscribed, in Italian with translation and transcription, signed "La Principessa Eleonora Gonzaga di Toscana", to "Sacred Royal Majesty", CARLO VII of Naples & Sicily, (1716-1788, younger son of Philip V, from 1759 Carlos III of Spain), distantly related to her husband as a descendant of Cosimo II, expressing her pride in "Your Majesty's Sovereign commands", but explaining she had not been able to thank him previously, "having rigorously to keep to my convalescence for some time, given the relapses which at every turn put me in considerable danger, and likewise ... a most severe ophthalmia, putting me in peril of losing an eye, which prevented ... paying my respects to so great a Sovereign as Your Majesty ... to whom I am proud ... to show my gratitude ... may You pardon my involuntary error ... I shall be proud to contribute as much as I can to your service where you shall grant me opportunity although up till now you have not employed your humble servant", 2 sides 11¾" x 8¾" and blank conjugate leaf, Florence, 28th May outer half of both leaves lightly waterstained without loss, in a few places the ink has gone through the paper but effect is barely noticeable

A rare signature.
In 1709 Cosimo III, with three children but no grandchildren, persuaded his brother Francesco to obtain dispensation from being a Cardinal, in order to marry and produce an heir for Tuscany. However the marriage was fruitless, and Francesco died in 1711, leaving enormous debts.
Both Philip V of Spain and the Emperor Karl VI wanted Tuscany. In 1731 Don Carlos inherited Parma from his mother's Farnese uncle, giving him a foothold in Italy, and he garrisoned Tuscany with Spanish troops. Then in 1735 he re-conquered Naples and Sicily, detached from Spain in 1707 and 1713 respectively following the war with Austria, and in May 1735 was crowned at Palermo as Carlo VII.
But Austria continued to press, and by January 1737 had replaced Carlo's troops with her own. Shortly before Gian Gastone, the last reigning Medici, died in July 1737, Austria forced him to accept Francis, Duke of Lorraine and husband of Maria Theresia of Austria, as his successor.

Item Date:  1737

Stock No:  54544      £975

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