Pasteur Louis

Louis Pasteur ALS Regarding Inauguration of Pasteur Institute, Addressed to One of its Principal Donors!

A remarkable autograph letter signed by French research scientist Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), and 2x signed by him, once as "Pasteur" in the body of the letter, and once as "L. Pasteur" at its conclusion. Written in French. Dated October 28, 1888 and addressed to Cécile Furtado-Heine (1821-1896), one of the Pasteur Institute's major benefactors. The letter is entirely engrossed in Pasteur's cramped and spidery hand on watermarked bifold stationery paper. Expected paper folds, else near fine. Accompanied by high-quality photocopies of the original transmittal envelope.

Louis Pasteur wrote Cécile Furtado-Heine in late October 1888 regarding her role in the Pasteur Institute inauguration ceremonies, scheduled to take place on November 14, 1888.

Translated in part, with paragraph breaks added for improved legibility:

"The Administration Council of the Pasteur Institute has set, before yesterday, next November 14 for the inauguration ceremony. Mr President Carnot et Mr President Floquet, whom I had the honor to see this morning, will attend.

Permit me, Madame, to remind you of the promise you made to Mr le Professor Grancher and to me, to offer a bust of yourself to be placed in our Chamber of Honor near those of the other principal donors. M. le [illegible] is ready to send us the bust of the tsar which was commissioned by order of the Emperor himself. If we cannot count on your bust for 14th Nov : … we hope at least that you would be able, Madame, to give us the plaster [cast], and upon your departure, authorization to print your name on the temporary pedestal…"

The Pasteur Institute was a non-profit research center established on June 4, 1887. Construction of the facility was financed through national subscriptions and private donations. The building, complete with an apartment and research laboratory reserved for Pasteur, was inaugurated on November 14, 1888, the exact date mentioned in Pasteur's letter.

According to a contemporary issue of French newspaper Le Figaro, approximately 600 people attended the inauguration ceremonies honoring Pasteur, the institute's namesake, as well as its donors. Sponsors included Cécile Furtado-Heine, along with Russian Emperor Alexander III, Brazilian Emperor Pedro II, and Alphonse de Rothschild. The Chamber of Busts, featuring Furtado-Heine's likeness, can be viewed at the Pasteur Institute today. French President Sadi Carnot presided over the inauguration ceremony, as did two other individuals mentioned in Pasteur's letter: Charles Floquet, French Prime Minister; and Jacques-Joseph Grancher, one of Pasteur's colleagues.

Pasteur, a chemist and microbiologist, discovered that bacteria in liquids are destroyed by heating, a process called pasteurization in his honor. Pasteur also developed a vaccine for rabies. Beginning in 1880, he successfully inoculated animals for chicken cholera and anthrax and paved the way for mass immunizations. Pasteur remained head of the Pasteur Institute until his death in 1895.

Cécile Furtado-Heine was a French Jewish philanthropist who supported many charitable causes. She aided the Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War, and established a soldiers' convalescent home in Nice. Furtado-Heine also donated to children's hospices and nurseries, and commissioned stained glass windows and Jewish synagogues.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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