Princess Isabel's handwritten letter (1876)

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Princess Isabel, responsible for ending slavery in Brazil, sends her Christmas wishes to a cardinal.

Handwritten letter in which Princess Isabel thanks the Italian Cardinal, Teodolfo Mertel, for his Christmas wishes. Four pages, two of which are blank, with the original envelope and its wax seal. In old Portuguese. 23.7 cm x 29.4 cm. Rio de Janeiro, June 1, 1876. Good condition. Single piece.

Illustrissimo and Resellerissimo in Christo Padre Cardinal Mertel Meu as a brother very Presado.

(...) I was pleased to receive the letters in which you manifested to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Empress your sentiments on the occasion of the Holy Christmas in the near past. The expressions of the wishes that you make for the happiness of My August Parents as well as for the prosperity of the Empire are very important to me (...)

Written in the Palace of Rio de Janeiro on June 1, 1876.

Isabel Princess Imperiale Regent.

In 1876, Princess Isabel assumed, for the second time, the role of regent of Brazil, during her father's long trip to the United States. The scenario was turbulent: an electoral reform that aimed to prevent fraud and violence in the polls had failed, a drought devastated the Northeast and there was the so-called "Religious Question", which put the princess in the crossfire between the Church and the government. The press did not spare the princess and her ability to replace her father was put to the test. Isabel returned to private life, spending more time in Petrópolis, where she and her husband, Conde D'Eu, acquired a house: Princess Isabel's first two children were born there and Dom Pedro II was there when he learned of the military movement that established the Republic.

Teodolfo Mertel (1806-1899) was an important Italian cardinal, the last to assume this position without having been a priest.

Princess Isabel is one of the most admired historical personalities by Brazilians; her handwritten letters, in excellent condition like this piece, are highly sought after by collectors. Additional interesting detail here, the year 1876 was important for Princess Isabel.