In 1907, Princess Isabella thanked the generosity of Paul Darblay, a well-known French businessman.
- Handwritten note from Princess Isabel to Paul Darblay.
- One page, with the original envelope without the stamp.
- In French.
- 13 cm x 10.3 cm.
- France, March 11, 1907.
- Excellent condition.
- Unique piece.
Dear Mr. Darblay,
I am touched and grateful for your generosity to my beloved Boulogne.
My going to I prevented me.
Yours very affectionate.
Isabel Countess of Eu.
The Imperial Princess of Brazil (1846 - 1921), better known as Princess Isabel, was the daughter of Emperor Dom Pedro II. A liberal woman who was open to the world, she signed the "Free Womb" Law in 1871, which gave freedom to the children of slaves, and in 1888, the Golden Law, which abolished slavery in Brazil. Both decisions provoked great opposition among coffee and sugar planters. Brazil was the last country in the West to abolish slavery, which lasted three centuries, exploiting 12 million black Africans. From 1889 onwards, Princess Isabel went into exile in France, where she spent the rest of her life with her family.
The Darblay family was a powerful 19th-century industrial family that made its fortune in the mill and stationery business. It was part of what was called the "two hundred families", or shareholders of the Bank of France. The founders of this family's fortune were the brothers Auguste-Rodolphe Darblay and Ayme-Stanislas Darblay, who acquired and successfully operated mills and, later, a stationery business developed by Paul Darblay, the recipient of this note.
The Count of Eu owned the Château d'Eu in Normandy, but he and Princess Isabella bought a mansion in Boulogne-sur-Seine with the sale of their assets in Brazil. There, in a noble neighborhood on the outskirts of Paris, they received the illustrious Brazilians who came to visit them. We do not know what contribution Paul Darblay made to the "cher Boulogne".
In addition to being entirely handwritten by Princess Isabel, and in perfect condition, it deals with the personal life in France of the illustrious daughter of Emperor Dom Pedro II. Finally, the large signature is particularly beautiful.
