- Lot 472

[HAINAUT] [DUMONT DE GAGES ]- About 250 autographed letters, most of them signed, addressed to the baron de La Puissance, "by Paris" in Mons and Maubeuge. Madrid, Paris, "du camp de Boulogne", Brussels, Ghent, etc., c. 1730-1755. Bifeuillets in-8° for the most part, in French, on paper, numerous armorial wax seals. Tears and a few broken stamps due to opening of folds, some soiling, 1 letter restored with sticky paper. Good condition in general. Rich set of correspondence addressed to Charles-Antoine du Mont or Dumont (Mons 1681-1757), lord of Gages, baron of La Puissance, elder brother of Jean Bonaventure (Mons 1682-1753 Pamplona), first count of Gages and illustrious officer of the Walloon Guards in the service of Spain, commander-in-chief of the Spanish armies then viceroy of Navarre. The latter, who had no descendants, bequeathed his fortune to his nephew, son of Charles-Antoine, the famous François-Bonaventure, Marquis of Gages, a great figure of Freemasonry in the Austrian Netherlands. The letters, which are detailed, deal with private and public matters, in particular concerning the army (troop movements, campaigns, crew costs...), the Spanish court, family affairs, money and stewardship matters (bills of exchange, sending a case of silverware, accounts for reception expenses...), etc. Among the various correspondents, let us note in particular: many letters of his brother the count of Gages and other close relations, of Walloon officers such as the count of Lannoy, Wyts de La Boucharderie colonel of the Walloon Guards, servants (Daguerre in Bayonne, Capret), etc. Interesting source for the knowledge of this illustrious and influential family of Hainaut. ATTACHED: Some miscellaneous family papers (copies of notarial acts, notes, accounts, wedding announcements, etc.), letters addressed to other family members (Baroness de Joigny de Pamele, etc.). Late 18th - early 19th c.