MARIE LESZCZYNSKA. Letter signed "Marie", countersigned by her secretary of the commands, Jean-Baptiste François de Montullé, addressed to the cardinal Ludovico Calini (also called Calino). Versailles, December 28, 1766. 3/4 p. in-folio, address on the back, marginal cracks due to the closing system. Protocolary congratulations from the queen, otherwise known for her piety and closeness to the devout party at the French court. "My cousin. Your attention to inform me of YOUR ELEVATION TO THE DIGNITY OF CARDINAL was infinitely pleasant to me, I am also sensitive to the feelings that you showed me on this occasion, you can be persuaded that I will always be interested in your satisfaction and that you will find me in all times disposed to give you marks of my perfect esteem... " From a powerful Italian noble family, Cardinal Ludovico Calini was the son of Count Vincenzo Calini, an intimate of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Jean-Baptiste François de Montullé was a counselor at the Parliament of Paris and a State Counselor. He then served as secretary of the commands of Queen Marie Leszczynska and then the dauphin Marie-Josèphe de Saxe. Bibliophile, collector, he was also an amateur painter and free associate member of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.