The Romanian Princess Helene KOLTSOV-MASSALSKY, known by her - Lot 506

The Romanian Princess Helene KOLTSOV-MASSALSKY, known by her pen name DORA D'ISTRIA (born Elena Ghica on February 3, 1828 in Bucharest and died in 1888 in Florence, Italy), was a Romanian painter, writer, essayist, historian, traveler and woman of letters. A polyglot, she wrote mainly in French and Italian - Letter A.S. "Princesse Koltzoff Massalsky" from SARAU on April 15, 1857. 3pp in-8°: "Monsieur, among the atlases you have indicated to me, I believe that Houzé's is the most appropriate to realize my views. Indeed, I am not at all keen on meticulous execution for an object destined to undergo all the laborious vicissitudes of packets. What's more, I attach the greatest importance to historical maps, which I need at all times, so to speak. As I have already received several proposals for the translation of La Vie Monastique, I would ask you not to forget to send me the sales figures for this work in May. I would be very reluctant to let it be translated as it is. Should the first edition sell out, I would then do what I did for La Suisse Allemande: a conscientious transformation of the text intended for translation. But this transformation would be much more complete for La Vie Monastique. Indeed, I was very happy to have had the opportunity so quickly to apply Boileau's excellent precept to La Suisse Allemande: Vingt fois sur le métier remettez votre ouvrage. I must add that the translators are also giving me their full support, doing everything they can to ensure that the work is carried out with the utmost care. The English edition will even have magnificent engravings..."