"I would be very happy if you came to the concert."
- Previously unpublished handwritten letter from Princess Isabel to the Count and Countess Costa de Beauregard.
- One page.
- In French.
- April 30, 1907, Boulogne-sur-Seine.
- 12.2 cm x 17 cm.
- Excellent condition conservation.
- Unique piece.
Transcription in French
Le concert aura lieu Salle de l´Horticulteur, 84 rue de Grenelle. 30 April 1907, Boulogne-sur-Seine.
Cher Comte et Comtesse Costa de Beauregard.
J´organise pour le 24 mai le concert en faveur de ma chère (name unidentified). Vous seriez bien aimables de vouloir bien prendre les billets ci-inclus.
Si vous ne pouviez les garder je vous priores de me les renvoyer le plus tôt possible. Je serais bien heureuse que vous veniez au concert ou envoyiez quelqu´un à votre place. It's time to come!
Your affectionate self.
Isabelle Comtesse d'Eu.
Perhaps the most beloved of Brazilian monarchs, Princess Isabel went down in history as the woman who ended the long and arduous period of slavery, which still represents a deep scar on the construction of our society. Even so, few remember that, with the proclamation of the republic in 1889, Isabel, like the entire royal family, was exiled and forbidden from setting foot on Brazilian soil. Expatriation was a complex period in the princess's life, who, in addition to losing the right to live in the country where she grew up, was also deprived of a large part of her possessions. Nevertheless, recently discovered documents show that Princess Isabel maintained an active social life during her exile in France.
The letter, dated 1907 and written by the princess herself, reveals that she was organizing a concert in Boulogne-sur-Mer. This is a precious glimpse into the daily life of the celebrated monarch, especially given how little is known about this period, since, after her expulsion from Brazil, Isabel decided to live a discreet life.
Upon returning to Europe, the imperial family first disembarked in Portugal, where Isabel's mother, Teresa Cristina, passed away within a few weeks. Isabel briefly stayed in southern Spain, but soon the entire royal family moved to a hotel in Cannes, France, after receiving a large loan from a Portuguese banker that allowed them to enjoy such luxury. However, Isabel and her husband, Gaston, moved the following year to a private villa, which was more economical than staying at the hotel. They later stayed at a country house near Versailles before their final move to the Château d'Eu in Normandy, the former home of Gaston's grandfather, King Louis Philippe I of France.
During her exile in France, Isabel chose a quiet life, away from the spotlight, to the point that she never publicly supported the attempts to restore the monarchy that occurred in Brazil. Because of this reserved lifestyle, little is known about the princess's daily life during those years. That is why her letter organizing a concert is so important; it gives us the opportunity to explore the mysteries of Princess Isabel's daily life. What would it have felt like to receive an invitation to a concert from the princess?
Brazilian history is full of remarkable figures, and Princess Isabel is undoubtedly one of the greatest protagonists in the more than 500 years recorded since the arrival of the Portuguese. The abolition of slavery, signed by Isabel, is still celebrated today as one of the most important episodes in our history as a country.
Learning about the life of the woman responsible for changing the course of the nation, in a period still so neglected by historians, is an opportunity to get to know the woman behind the crown. Isabel, like all of us, faced setbacks but never ceased to be active.
The Princess's letters are very rare, especially in such perfect condition and as extensive as this one.
