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MARIA FEODOROVNA (Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg, 1759-1828). Czarina of Russia and consort of Czar Paul I; mother of Alexander I, Russian czar and king of Poland. Manuscript DS. (“Maria”). 2½pp. Small folio. [Gatchina?], June or July 12, 1827. A letter from O.I. Gavrilov to Her Majesty regarding the pay of a part-time teacher at the Gatchina orphanage by the name of Vikhman who was instructing children in French and German. Gavrilov makes a case that the payment made in 1826 could contradict the Emperor’s decree of 1820 that requires the earning of a certain number of points for time worked. Such payment was rejected because of the number of hours the teacher had worked as a part-time employee. In addition to his work at Gatchina, Vikhman held a part-time position at another school. The payment is 167 rubles for 1675 points. In a handwritten note in the margin, Maria has approved the rule and payment.

Paul I was the son of Catherine the Great, the wife of Czar Peter III, although it is purported that Paul was actually fathered by one of Catherine’s lovers. Paul lost his first wife in childbirth, after which his mother arranged a marriage with Duchess Sophie Marie Dorothea Auguste Louise of the house of Württemberg. She converted to Russian Orthodoxy, took the name Maria Feodorovna and became a model wife for the future ruler of Russia. She was highly educated, with an interest in the arts and court life, and she and Paul were unusually fond of each other. During their happy marriage, Maria bore him 10 children, including Alexander I, who succeeded his father as czar. 

Following Catherine’s death in 1796, Paul I became czar and Maria his consort. She was politically influential during Paul’s short reign and had a lasting, positive effect on affairs of state. The death of Paul in 1801 made her a widow. She made a failed bid for the crown, but her son succeeded his father while she maintained an elevated position at court as the dowager empress. She was fervently opposed to Napoleon and managed to galvanize public opinion against him. Her legacy includes the decoration of Gatchina Palace, an enormous structure favored by her mother-in-law; the Winter Palace; and The Hermitage. She also established educational institutions for women and closely supervised the education of her many children and grandchildren. Revered by her family, she remained an icon of style and a model monarch for her successors.  

Folded with normal wear including several minor fold tears not affecting any text. In very fine condition.

Item #17003

Price: $750