Sophie Rostopchine, Countess de SÉGUR (1799-1874). L.A., Livet April 20, 1868, to her granddaughter Madeleine de Malaret; 3 1/4 pages in her crowned cypher. Lovely letter to one of the model granddaughters. She announces her return the next day, and gives detailed instructions for preparing a dinner for eleven: "If he can have fish for the first course, that will be very good; he needs chicken fricassee, for starter; and for roast, either a fillet of beef or a leg of lamb, or a roast veal. [...] asparagus for vegetables, if not too expensive; ice cream for a sweet dish"... She also had "a compote of mirabelle plums" prepared, and asked that "white and red wine and Frontignan" be served. Her cough gets better. Unfortunately, the news about "your poor Aunt Sabine" is very bad [Sabine de Ségur, daughter of the Countess, a nun, will die on October 20]: "According to human probabilities, we will have a very painful mourning to bear before a year from now. For her, all will be happiness and glory, but for us, her departure from this world will leave sorrow and sadness"... She gives further news of their relatives and friends... Provenance: "Collection d'autographes de Madame Dina Vierny" sale, October 28, 1996, lot 130