Eugene, prince of Savoy (1668-1736). Signed letter,

addressed to "Monsieur Collin. Lieutenant Colonel du regiment de Liedermanns Infant. à Bruxelles", dated "Vienne ce 26 Jan. 1715", on the front of a bifolium with the address and finely preserved wax seal on the final page, 21 x 29.8 cm. (entire leaf) (folded for posting).

"(...) il y a quantité des officiers venus de l'Espagne (...) qui prétendent d'être consolé à l'occasion des Regiments vaquants aux Pays Bas, mais sa dite Majesté, autant qu'elle ne sera pas en possession dans ces pays, n'y veut pas aussi disposer de quelque chose". Eugene of Savoy "was a general of the Imperial Army and statesman of the Holy Roman Empire and the Archduchy of Austria and one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. (...) Spanning six decades, Eugene served three Holy Roman Emperors: Leopold I, Joseph I, and Charles VI." He was also an important collector of books, manuscripts, prints and paintings and corresponded with artists, architects and scientists. He possessed a large collection of exotic plants and animals and ordered the construction of the Belvedere palace at Vienna (https://tinyurl.com/njbem9g).