Jean-Frédéric PHÉLYPEAUX, Count of MAUREPAS, Secretary of State, Minister of the Navy (1701-1781) - Letter signed "MAUREPAS" (He is then Secretary of State of the MARINE), to Sieur PETIT, in CHANTILLY (Oise) on July 16, 1725 - 1p in-folio - "I received your letter of the 8th of the month with the copy of the sale that you made by adjudication of the small woods coming from the exploitation of the FRESNAY Park, I send it back to you ratified, it is unfortunate that they were not brought to a more considerable price. I still recommend you to hurry up this exploitation and the transport by sea and by land of the building parts."

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.