OSTEIN (Johann Friedrich Karl, 1689-1763, Prince Bishop and Elector of Mainz)

Fine letter in Latin (with translation) signed 'J Fridericus Carolus Elector' to Carlo a Stampa, in Mantua, Envoy Plenipotentiary in Italy of the late Holy Roman Emperor (Charles VI, 1685-1740), thanking him "for the honour the Count has done Me by his congratulations on My Election under the auspices of the divine Spirit ... to the dignity of the Archbishopric of Mainz and the Electorate", and promising "to take every occasion I can to assure him" of his particular goodwill, 1 side folio on mourning paper with conjugate blank and original envelope bearing the Archbishop's papered seal, Mainz, 16th July

As Archbishop of Mainz, Ostein was president of the Electoral College, Arch-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire and Primate of Germany, and yet was only a deacon when elected. He had, however, undertaken important diplomatic missions for his predecessor. The most pressing current problem was the War of the Austrian Succession. This he solved as far as Mainz was concerned by accepting 250,000 thalers from George II of Hanover as the price of his neutrality. He was thereby able to foster the arts, promoting Bach and Handel's music, founding the Mainz porcelain factory and developing the University and its library.

Item Date:  1743

Stock No:  9946      £275

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire