MARIE DE MEDICIS (1573–1642) Queen of France. Autograph letter, Paris, January 2, 1626, to her aunt Marie-Madeleine de Médicis, Grand Duchess of Tuscany; 2 pages in-4, addressed with red wax seals bearing the coat of arms on pink silk ribbons. In support of the marriage of her cousin, the Duchess Sforza’s daughter, to the Marquis de Salviati. [Marie-Madeleine of Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, widow of Cosimo II de’ Medici, served as regent during the minority of their son Ferdinand II.] “My aunt, the special affection I have for my cousin, the Duchess Sforza, leads me to desire everything I deem to be to her satisfaction; and, having no doubt that it would be a great joy for her to see her daughter—whom she dearly loves—married with dignity befitting her station, I am writing to you on this subject to inform you that, having learned that some had proposed the Marquis de Salviati—who is of noble birth and merit, just ashas been described to me, and who is a subject of my nephew, the Grand Duke, I believe that my said cousin would be pleased if he were to seek her daughter’s hand in marriage—especially if you deem it appropriate, in which matter you have considerable influence over both parties. And I am certain that, upon seeing this person—who is very amiable and has the honor of beingclose relative of my nephew and myself, you will be moved by this consideration to take care of her; the assurances that you and my cousin, theArchduchess—to approve this matter, along with the courtesies my nephew may extend to the Marquis de Salviati on this occasion, are the only things capable of producing the favorable outcome I desire, if it is to the advantage of my said cousin, who, being of noble birth and possessing both virtue and beauty, deserves to make a favorable impression”…