Prosper MÉRIMÉE (1803-1870). L.A.S. "Pr Mérimée Inspecteur gal des Monuments historiques", Paris 4 August 1848, to Philippe-Auguste Jeanron "Directeur général des Musées nationaux"; 3 pages in-4. Interesting unpublished letter concerning the statues of the abbey of Fontevrault. The Minister of the Interior receives complaints "concerning the statues of the Plantagenets, once deposited in the church of Fontevrault, and since handed over by the director of the detention centre to the Intendant of the Civil List. What has become of these statues? "Difficult to know: the Intendant of the Civil List told him that these statues had been in the Louvre's workshops and then transported to Versailles, or would soon be. Since Versailles is not aware of these monuments, they may still be in the Ateliers du Louvre. Mérimée lists them: "Henri II King of England. Richard the Lionheart. Eleanor de Guienne wife of Henry II. Elizabeth of Angoulême wife of Jean-Sans-Terre. The statue of Eleanor is made of wood, the others of stone. All large as nature, lying on their backs, painted and gilded, slightly mutilated. Richard Lionheart has a blue dress and a red coat. One hand is broken. The work is that of the 13th century and the execution is quite remarkable " . He takes the opportunity to ask for a study card for the Louvre Museum: "I would be very grateful if you could provide me with the means to often admire the masterpieces in your custody" .