Handwritten letter from Princess Isabel (1888)
Handwritten letter from Princess Isabel (1888)
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Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Digital Warranty ©
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This item is no longer available. However, we may be able to put you in touch with its owner—who knows, they might accept your offer!—or, alternatively, suggest other items of similar interest, without any obligation. Contact us via WhatsApp: +55 31 98221-5758 or email: contato@glorias.com.br
In 1888, a few months after signing the Lei Áurea, Princess Isabel attempts to reconcile public and private responsibilities.
- Handwritten letter from Princess Isabel to "Luiza Velha de Avelhos" (whom we have not identified)?
- One sheet, two pages + One card from a former owner, with what appears to be childish handwriting.
- In Portuguese.
- ~ 13.5 cm x 21 cm.
- Petrópolis, October 14, 1888.
- Good condition.
- Unique item.
This letter, written by Princess Isabel of Brazil in 1888, expresses warm congratulations and wishes of happiness to a close friend on the occasion of her birthday. In the text, the princess mentions finding a moment to write, even amidst a busy routine, metaphorically referring to "a cross and a council."
In the context of 1888, when Isabel had signed the Lei Áurea and faced significant political and social tensions, the expression may reflect the challenges of leadership during a tumultuous period. "The cross" would represent the sacrifices and pressures of the moment, while "the council" would indicate the negotiations and deliberations she needed to conduct or participate in. It is a metaphor that illustrates the difficulty of reconciling public and private responsibilities.
Although she was the heir to the throne and, therefore, called "Imperial Princess of Brazil," her title of "Countess d'Eu" was frequently used in private, social, or informal contexts, and even in her personal correspondence. It was only after the proclamation of the Republic and her exile in 1889 that the use of this title acquired a more striking connotation, reflecting her life as a member of the nobility outside Brazil.
This two-page letter is notable for having been written in 1888, the year Princess Isabel sanctioned the Lei Áurea, officially abolishing slavery in Brazil—a crucial moment in Brazilian history.

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How can I add value to my collection?
If your goal is to go beyond an isolated purchase, the ideal is to build a coherent collection around a theme, a personality, or a historical period, such as aviation pioneers, women who made history, love letters, old photographs of Rio de Janeiro, Oscar Niemeyer, Pelé, or Ayrton Senna. Mathias Meyer can guide you in forming a consistent collection, according to your interests, objectives, and budget.
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Why aren't these pieces in museums?
Throughout history, much of the world's documentary heritage has been preserved thanks to private collectors and dealers. These enthusiasts of historical documents play a fundamental role in the discovery, study, and preservation of pieces that can later be loaned, donated, or sold to museums and other institutions. In Brazil, where many museums have limited financial resources and staff, this collaboration is even more important. Glórias maintains relationships with public institutions, museums, and researchers, both in Brazil and abroad, sharing discoveries, knowledge, and, in some cases, documents for exhibitions.
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Where do the parts sold by Glórias come from?
Behind every rare document lies a unique trajectory, which makes collecting a fascinating way to preserve and transmit history. Most of the pieces offered by Glórias were inherited by families who contacted us, while others were acquired at auctions, where they were misidentified or undervalued, or came from collectors, antique dealers, or autograph document merchants.
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