Queen Maria Teresa (France) Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE)
Born: 09/10/1638 in El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
Died: 07/30/1683 in Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France
ueen Maria Teresa (1638-1683). Maria Teresa was born to King Philip IV and Queen Elisabeth of France as Infanta of Spain at the Royal Monastery of El Escorial. Her mother died when she was only six years old. As a member of the House of Habsburg, the Infanta was entitled to use the title of Archduchess of Austria. Maria Teresa is still famed for her piety and virtue. Dissimilar to France, the kingdom of Spain did not have Salic Law, so it was possible for a female to assume the throne, so when Maria Teresa's brother Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias, died in 1646, she became heiress presumptive to the immense Spanish Empire and remained such until 1657, when Philip Prospero, Prince of Asturias, was born. However, when he also died in November 1, 1661 Maria Teresa was again heiress presumptive until November 6, 1661, when Prince Charles was born, and who would later inherit the thrones of Spain as Charles II. In 1658 the war with France began to wind down and a union between the royal families of those nations was proposed as a means to secure peace. Maria Teresa and the French king were double first-cousins. So, King Philip IV sent a special envoy to the French court to start negotiations for peace and royal marriage, and they were intense. Eager to prevent a union of the two countries or crowns, especially one in which Spain would be subservient to France, the diplomats sought to include a renunciation clause that would deprive Maria Teresa and her children of any rights to the Spanish succession. This was eventually done but, by the skill of Mazarin and his French diplomats, the renunciation and its validity were made conditional upon the payment of a large dowry. As it turned out, Spain, impoverished and bankrupt after decades of war, was unable to pay such a dowry, and France never received the agreed sum of 500,000 ecus. A marriage by proxy to the French king was held in Fuenterrabia. The bride was accompanied by her father and the entire Spanish court to the Isle of Pheasants in the Bidassoa, where Louis and his court met her. On June 7, 1660 Maria Teresa left Spain and two days later the marriage took place in Saint-Jean-de-Luz at the then recently rebuilt church of Saint Jean the Baptist. After the wedding, Louis wanted to consummate the marriage as quickly as possible. The new queen's mother-in-law (and aunt) arranged a private consummation instead of the public one that was the custom. On 26 August 1660, the newlyweds made the traditional Joyous Entry into Paris. Louis was faithful to his wife for the first year of their marriage, commanding the Grand Maréchal du Logis that they were never to be set apart, no matter how small the house in which they might be lodging. Despite the King enjoyed the legitimate passion that Maria Teresa felt for him, the couple would later have difficulty with compatibility. Queen Maria Teresa stared gaining weight with the years and withdrew into her circle of dwarfs, the traditional attendants to a Spanish Infanta, which she had brought with her from Spain. The first time Maria Teresa ever saw the Palace of Versailles was on 25 October 1660. At that time, it was just a small royal residence that had been Louis XIII's hunting lodge not far from Paris. Later, the first building campaign (1664-1668) commenced with the Plaisirs de l'Île enchantée of 1664, a week-long celebration at Versailles ostensibly held in honour of France's two queens, Louis XIV's mother and wife, but exposed Louise de La Vallière's role as the king's maîtresse-en-titre. The celebration of the Plaisirs de l'Île enchantée is often regarded as a prelude to the War of Devolution, which Louis waged against Spain. The first building campaign witnessed alterations in the château and gardens in order to accommodate the 600 guests invited to the celebration.The installment that King Louis made of Louise de La Vallière as his official mistress caused so much pain to the Queen, for which Louise would later tender a public apology. Maria Teresa was very lucky to have found a friend at court in her mother-in-law, unlike many princesses in foreign lands. As she did not have any interest in politics or literature, she continued to spend much of her free time playing cards and gambling. Consequently, she was viewed as not fully playing the part of queen designated to her by her marriage. But more importantly, she became pregnant in early 1661, and a long-awaited son was born on 1 November 1661. As time passed, Queen Maria Teresa learned to tolerate her husband's prolonged infidelity with Françoise-Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan. The king left her to her own devices, yet reprimanded Madame de Montespan when her behavior at court too flagrantly disrespected the queen's position. Later, the governess of Montespan's illegitimate children by the king, Madame de Maintenon, came to supplant her mistress in the king's affections. At first she resisted the king's advances and encouraged him to bestow more attention on his long-neglected wife, a thoughtfulness which Maria Teresa repaid with warmth toward the new favorite. After the queen's death, Maintenon would become the king's second, although officially secret, wife. So, Maria Teresa played just a little part in political affairs except for the years 1667, 1672 and 1678, when she acted as regent while her husband was away on campaigns on the frontier. During the last week of July 1683 Queen Maria Teresa fell ill and, as her illness worsened, her husband ordered for the sacraments to be kept nearby. She died a painful death on July 30, 1683 at Versailles.
Style
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/11/1655 - HFSID 53120Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" expressing her happiness for her sister's health and disappointment over a canceled comedy. Written in iron gall ink on one page, dated January 11, 1653, and fully translated in English.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/12/1653 - HFSID 52981Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa expresses her happiness regarding her sister's health and mentions her loneliness. Dated January 12, 1653, it includes a fully translated English text detailing her life and surroundings at that time.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/13/1653 - HFSID 52982Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health and concern for the Countess's cold. The letter is fully translated into English and dated January 13, 1653, highlighting personal sentiments and gratitude for lemons.
Sale Price $2,050.00
$2,400.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/14/1653 - HFSID 52983Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa, dated January 14, 1653, expressing regrets to the Countess de Salvatierra. The letter, written in iron gall ink, is presented in a light brown leather folio, containing a plaque with biographical details.
Sale Price $1,695.00
$2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/15/1653 - HFSID 52984Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health while discussing a frustrating hunt and her family. Dated January 15, 1653, it reveals personal sentiments and royal family dynamics.
Price: $2,400.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/18/1655 - HFSID 53123Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health and mentioning a comedy. Dated January 25, 1655, it is fully translated in English and reflects her personal sentiments and connections.
Price: $3,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/18/1657 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 53328Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa and La condesa de Salbatiera, expressing joy over a sister's health and discussing a party and weather. Dated January 17 and 18, 1656, the letter provides insights into royal life during that era.
Sale Price $2,195.00
$2,600.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/20/1653 - HFSID 52980Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa expresses her happiness for her sister's health and mentions various personal anecdotes. Dated January 20, 1653, it is fully translated in English, providing insight into her life and emotions during that period.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/20/1655 - HFSID 53125Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing joy for her sister's health and condolences for a dog’s death. Dated January 20, 1655, it includes a personal message and is fully translated in English.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/21/1653 - HFSID 52986Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing joy over her sister's well-being and the Countess's recovery. Dated January 21, 1653, from El Pardo, the letter is fully translated in English and provides historical context.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/21/1657 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 53330Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa", consisting of two letters exchanged between Princess Maria Teresa and the Condesa de Salvatierra, discussing health and weather. Dated January 20-21, 1657, from the Royal Palace of Madrid and El Pardo, Spain.
Price: $2,600.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/22/1653 - HFSID 52987Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa", written on January 22, 1653, at the Royal Palace of El Pardo in Madrid. Addressed to the Condesa de Salvatierra, it discusses her sister's health and includes personal messages.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/22/1655 - HFSID 53127Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing contentment for her sister's health and inquiring about her granddaughter's safe arrival. Dated January 22, 1655, the letter reflects personal sentiments from Queen Maria Teresa of France.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/23/1655 - HFSID 53128Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa in iron gall ink, expressing her happiness over her sister's health. The letter includes instructions for sending correspondence to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. Fully translated in English, it offers personal insights from the queen.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/23/1657 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 53331Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa and La condesa de Salbatiera, dated January 23, 1657. Expressing her happiness for her sister’s health and her safe return, the letter comprises two pages written in iron gall ink.
Price: $2,600.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/24/1653 - HFSID 52989Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for the recovery of the Countess and safe arrival to El Pardo. Dated January 21, 1653, it includes a fully translated message conveying personal sentiments.
Sale Price $1,695.00
$2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/25/1653 - HFSID 52990Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health while informing that her visit is canceled due to bad weather. Dated January 25, 1653, it is fully translated into English.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/26/1655 - HFSID 53130Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness regarding her sister's health and mentioning a cold day in El Pardo. Dated January 26, 1655, it provides insight into her life as Queen of France.
Sale Price $1,695.00
$2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/27/1653 - HFSID 52991Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health while discussing various topics. Dated January 27, 1653, it is fully translated in English, detailing personal sentiments and plans for Candlemas Day.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/28/1653 - HFSID 52992Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa expresses her joy about her sister's health and shares personal anecdotes. Written in iron gall ink, the letter dates to January 28, 1653, and is fully translated into English.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/29/1653 - HFSID 52993Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health and mentioning a visit to the Capuchin Friars. Dated January 29, 1653, it includes greetings to various individuals. Queen Maria Teresa (1638-1683) was the Spanish Infanta and Queen of France.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/31/1655 - HFSID 53132Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" written in iron gall ink, expressing joy over her sister's health and discussing social activities. Dated January 31, 1655, this letter provides insight into the personal life of Queen Maria Teresa of France.
Sale Price $1,695.00
$2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/13/1655 - HFSID 53147Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health and her safe arrival in Aranjuez. Dated April 13, 1655, the letter is fully translated in English and includes personal regards to the recipient.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/15/1655 - HFSID 53149Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, expressing happiness for her sister's health and details about a recent hunt. Dated April 15, 1655, from Aranjuez. Fully translated in English, providing historical context about Queen Maria Teresa.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/16/1655 - HFSID 53150Letter by Queen Maria Teresa of France expresses her happiness for her sister's health and mentions an upcoming wedding. Signed "Maria Teresa" in iron gall ink, the letter is fully translated in English and dated April 16, 1655.
Sale Price $1,695.00
$2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/19/1653 - HFSID 53065Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in brown ink, dated April 19, 1653, from Palacio Real de Aranjuez, Madrid. Addressed to the Condesa de Salvatierra, discussing health and weather while sending regards to specified individuals.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/19/1653 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 53064Autograph letter signed by Maria Teresa and La condesa de Salbatiera, discussing family health and personal sentiments. This correspondence, dated April 16 and 19, 1653, uses iron gall ink and contains a fully translated English version.
Price: $2,600.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/20/1655 - HFSID 53152Letter signed: "Maria Teresa", sent by future Queen of France, expressing regards to acquaintances. Dated April 20, 1655, from Palacio Real de Aranjuez, Madrid. Mentioning personal health and activities. Addressed to the Condesa de Salvatierra.
Price: $2,000.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/20/1659 - HFSID 53377Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" by Queen Maria Teresa of France, dated April 19-20, 1659. Correspondence with the Condesa de Salvatierra discusses a missing letter and the health of the Infanta's brothers, written from the Royal Palace of Madrid and Palacio Real de Aranjuez.
Sale Price $2,050.00
$2,400.00
-
QUEEN MARIA TERESA (FRANCE) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/21/1656 - HFSID 53229Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa", written on April 21, 1956, at Palacio Real de Aranjuez, Madrid. Addressed to the Condesa de Salvatierra, it expresses pleasure regarding her sister's health and mentions activities and fine weather.
Price: $2,000.00