OLDONI VIRGINIA: (1837-1899) Countess of Castiglione. Also known as “La Castiglione”. Oldoni was ...

OLDONI VIRGINIA: (1837-1899) Countess of Castiglione. Also known as “La Castiglione”. Oldoni was an Italian aristocrat, best-known as mistress of Emperor Napoleon III. Oldoni was a significant figure in the early history of photography. A.L., four pages, 8vo, in bold pencil, n.p., n.d., in French. In a quite untidy and difficult writing, Oldoni refers to Balzac, to the Napoleon supporters and to several relatives, stating in part ` Cette fois-ci… le pauvre monsieur va perdre enfin son Pari (à moins que les parlementaires ne l´escofient ainsi que le complot des Napoléoniens contre Ambert, découvert à temps, mais je lui prédis malheur…´ (Translation: “ This time... the poor gentleman will finally lose his bet (unless the parliamentarians uncover him and the Napoleonic plot against Ambert, discovered in time, but I predict misfortune for him...”) Further Oldoni states ` …ayant assez trop à penser à s´occuper et préoccuper de moi, même ici et là-bas, d´affaires… ne pouvant plus en passer un troisième enfermée dans un lit solitaire ou qui vient d´être acheté en cachette par Balzac…´ (Translation: “… having too much to think about taking care of and worrying about myself, even here and there, about business... no longer able to spend a third locked in a solitary bed or which has just been bought in secret by Balzac…”) Further again, and before concluding, Oldoni states `… En veux-tu? En voila. C´est superbe, relié beau, doré sur haut papier aux armes, signature de l´auteur… On voit qu´il a voulu faire grand et faire bien. Qu´est-ce qui lui reprend donc? Déjà?´ (Translation: “ Do you want some? Here you have them. It is superb, beautifully bound, gilded on high quality with paper with coat of arms, signature of the author... We see that he wanted to do big and do well. So what is wrong with him? Already?”) Small overall age tone, mostly to borders. G