CATHERINE II (1729–1796) Autograph letter signed ‘Caterine’, addressed to Count Ernst von Münnich, Actual Privy Councillor, in St Petersburg. Moscow, 1 March 1775. In French.

One page on a bifolium, 4to, 22.2 × 18.2 cm. The sheet is folded to form an envelope, with the recipient's address in Russian on the verso and a red wax seal bearing the Imperial arms. In very good condition, with traces of folding. The letter reads (translated text provided): ‘Dear Count Münnich, From your letter of 23 February, I have learnt of the care you have taken to obtain two copies of the Encyclopédie for me. I shall write to Marshal Golitsyn to arrange reimbursement of the other minor expenses you have incurred on my behalf, and I wish you good health, a moderate appetite, cheerful spirits and a substantial influx of money during the forthcoming ice break-up. I send my greetings to the Judges of Israel and Susanna, and pray that God may bless their supper.’ Literature: Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie, no. 2, 1987, no. 59, p. 202. Catherine II maintained close relations with the French Enlightenment philosopher Denis Diderot (1713–1784), co-founder of the Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers [Encyclopaedia, or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts and Crafts], and acted as his patron. Diderot directed the publication of the Encyclopédie from 1751 to 1772. The Empress was a renowned bibliophile, and the Encyclopédie remained one of her favourite publications for many years. In 1765, Catherine II purchased Diderot's personal library. She allowed the collection to remain in Paris and granted the philosopher the right to use its books throughout his lifetime. Diderot was appointed ‘Librarian to Her Imperial Majesty’, with an annual salary of 1,000 francs. In 1773, at Catherine II's invitation, Diderot travelled to Russia, residing in St Petersburg from October 1773 to March 1774. During his stay, he frequently met and conversed with the Empress, was elected a foreign honorary member of the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1773), and worked on proposals for reforms she was contemplating at the time. Count Johann Ernst von Münnich (Sergei Khristoforovich Minikh; 1707–1788) was a Russian statesman, diplomat and memoirist from the Münnich family. In 1763, during the reign of Catherine II, he was awarded the rank of Actual Privy Councillor. From 1764, he served as a member of the Customs Commission and Chief Director of Customs Revenues of the Russian Empire. From 1774 until his death, he held the position of President of the College of Commerce.