Signed letter from Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (French 1757-1834) reading, "Lafayette/The Secretary of State has been kind enough as you know, my dear citizen to try to find some ways to make restitution of a part of my library losses, it is due to this intention that he has asked for a complete list of the books which are at the “Printing Plant of the Republic”. Citizen Julein Lourne (?) is its director. I would greatly appreciate your finding out if he has made out the general list from which some of the books for this restitution will be selected. I do hope the cause of it will not lessen his zeal in carrying out the ministerial instructions he has received. I would have been glad to speak of it to him if I lived in Paris./Salutations and best regards/Lafayette/Le Grange 2 Prairial", framed together with five colored engravings depicting Lafayette and George Washington. Note Le Grange was Lafayette's home, the Chateau de la Grange-Bleneau located thirty miles east of Paris. The French Republican calendar was in use from late 1792 until 1805, and then again for eighteen days during the Paris Commune of 1871, the date 2 Prairial corresponds with May 22. This item has been certified by James Spence Authentication. Certificate available upon request. Sight approx. h. 4.75", w. 6" (letter); Overall h. 15", w. 16.5", d. 1".

The letter originally folded, toning to paper, not examined out of frame.