A man of progress, the Emperor of Brazil sought all scientific innovations in Paris and strived to create bridges between his country and France.

• Set of 7 handwritten letters from Dom Pedro II, one to Jules Taschereau (1873) and six others to Marcellin Berthelot.
• 7 sheets, 8 pages.
• In French.
• +/- 13 cm x 21 cm.
• Petropolis, Rio and Cannes: between 1873 and 1888.
• Excellent condition.
• Single set.

Excerpts translated from French

Petropolis, March 13, 1873. "To Mr. Taschereau, director of the National Library of Paris. I recommend to you Dr. Ramis Galuad, director of the National Library in Rio. I hope you will make him admire all the riches of your library, where you have been so kind to me. Your affectionate colleague, D. Pedro d'Alcântara."

Rio, April 23, 1874. "Dear Professor, The memory of my visit to your laboratory at the Collège de France remains very vivid in my memory, and compels me to recommend to you Dr. Freire, who has just qualified for the chair of Organic Chemistry at the Rio School of Medicine by a brilliant competition. He was sent to study in Europe. I am sure that he will honor the reception of scholars and the feelings with which I am affectionate to you, D. Pedro d'Alcântara."

Paris, June 6, 1877. "Sir, I hope you will be able to be in your laboratory at the Collège de France on the 9th for a few moments of conversation that so many commitments in Paris have not allowed me to have elsewhere with you. I plan to visit your laboratory between 1 and 2 o'clock. Your very affectionate colleague, D. Pedro d'Alcântara."

Rio, April 14, 1880. "Sir, You know my love for science, which is more than platonic in the position I occupy, and my sincere esteem for those who have the good fortune to be able to contribute to scientific progress; that is why I naturally express how eager I am to read your essay on chemical mechanics. The wise even force me to reserve myself with regard to theories, but the principle of maximum work will make you further enrich the domain of synthesis. I ask you to always remember the interest I have in your works and to always believe in your affectionate, D. Pedro d'Alcântara."

Rio, September 14, 1882. "Sir, I recommend to you once again a Brazilian of scientific merit, Dr. Ferreira dos Santos, associate professor at the Rio de Janeiro School of Medicine. He will perfect his chemical studies and I greatly expect your help in the services he will render to his science in my country. For a long time I have seen your name only in reports, however I am sure that you believe in the interest that what you wish to communicate to me in your letters would cause me, especially if it could contribute to the progress of the study of chemistry in my country. Fortunately I notice a little more scientific movement. I ask that you always count on the sincere esteem of your affectionate good, D. Pedro d'Alcântara."

Petropolis, March 20, 1887. "Sir, As a Brazilian, I thank you for your collaboration in the magazine that is announced as dedicated to all the interests of my country and I am pleased to provide information related to the physical sciences, with which you know I occupy myself as much as my position allows me. In asking you to recall the good memories of our colleagues, I take this opportunity to express all the esteem I have for you, your affectionate colleague, D. Pedro d'Alcântara."

Cannes, January 18, 1888. "Sir, Your letter has given me great pleasure, as you must be quite sure, for you know how much I esteem you. I am sure that your recommendations will find the best reception from my son-in-law and daughter. Always inform me of your work, for you know perfectly well the interest that your affectionate colleague has in it. D. Pedro d'Alcântara."

A man of goodness, science, culture and progress, Dom Pedro II reigned over Brazil for fifty-eight years. Upon inheriting, in the succession from his father in 1831, an Empire on the brink of ruin, he profoundly transformed his country to elevate it to a free, civic and emerging power on the international scene.

Generally considered, to this day, as the greatest man in Brazilian history, his behavior aroused the respect and admiration of many European scientists and writers, such as Darwin, Hugo, Pasteur, Bell and Nietzsche.

"I was born to devote myself to culture and science," he wrote in his diary in 1862. Speaking more than ten languages, he was a member of the Royal Society, the Russian and Belgian Academies of Sciences, the American Geographical Society, and in 1975 was elected to the French Academy of Sciences. Wanting to put his knowledge at the service of his country, he actively developed national education and scientific and artistic research.

Important correspondence from Dom Pedro II - in my opinion, one of the most fascinating figures in Brazilian history - is increasingly rare, and this is perhaps the last. This collection is particularly interesting because it shows - in the last years of his reign - how much Dom Pedro II loved science, how he strove to promote and advance Brazil with the help of France, the two countries that had a profound impact on his life.