Details
BOURDELOT, the Abbé (i.e. Pierre Michon, 1610-1685). Autograph letter signed to Monsieur Bouillaud ('dem[euran]t chez Monsieur le president de T[h]ou a Paris'), Stockholm, 9 March 1642, reporting Queen Christina's admiration for a scientist he had met in La Hague, 2½ pages, 4to, address panel (remains of seals, duststains in folds); [and]: an autograph letter signed 'Papin' [a cousin of Denis PAPIN] to an unidentified correspondent, Blois, 5 February 1694, in which he gives an extremely enthusiastic account of the successful demonstration of a pressure-cooker ('la machine à amollir les os'), which is an improvement on the one described by his cousin [Denis Papin]; making extravagant claims for its potential uses in providing nourishment for large numbers of the poor but needing a better foundry to produce the pots, and asking his correspondent's help in obtaining a privilège from the King, 5 pages, 4to, integral blank leaf (a few wormholes, not affecting legibility).
Bourdelot was doctor to Queen Christina. The prolific inventor Denis Papin (1647-1712) of Blois exhibited to the Royal Society his 'steam digester', described in a tract published in Paris in 1682.
Bourdelot was doctor to Queen Christina. The prolific inventor Denis Papin (1647-1712) of Blois exhibited to the Royal Society his 'steam digester', described in a tract published in Paris in 1682.
Special notice
Buyers from within the EU:
VAT payable at 17.5% on just the buyer's premium (NOT the hammer price)
Buyers from outside the EU:
VAT payable at 17.5% on hammer price and buyer's premium. If a buyer, having registered under a non-EU address, decides that an item is not to be exported from the EU, then he/she should advise Christie's to this effect immediately.