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Borgo San Donnino, December, 1737., 1737. Good. - Over 104 words penned in a secretarial hand on 12 inch high by 8-1/8 inch wide laid paper, with an attached integral address leaf. Enrichetta, the Duchess of Parma, offers her thanks for Count Antonio Berni Canan's expressions of kindness following the death of her father Rinaldo d'Este (1655-Oct. 26, 1737). Loosely translated from the Italian, Enrichetta writes: ["Recognizing very clearly your customary politeness and kindness in the courteous office that you were pleased to share with me on the occasion of the very heavy loss I suffered through the death of the Most Serene Lord Duke, my Father of illustrious memory, I attest to you my singular gratitude in the act of thanking you for it, as I do most vividly. -- And also responding to the happy announcement of good tidings which, on the same occasion, you wished to put forward to me for the recurrence of Holy Christmas, I pray the Lord to fill you with all the most desirable contentments."] Signed "Enrichetta D[__] di Parma Nata Psa. di Mod.a" (Enrichetta D[uchess] of Parma, born P[rincess] of Mod[ena]). Addressed in ink with a paper over wax seal on the verso of the attached address leaf. There is worming in the upper half of the letter, barely touching on a couple of letters and some additional worming below the text which, though it does not affect the text runs through the seal. Folded several times with a couple of tiny holes at the intersection of the folds. Good. Duchess of Parma by marriage to her cousin Antonio Farnese, Duke of Parma, Princess Enrichetta d'Este (1702-1777) served as Regent of Parma during her alleged pregnancy in the period after the death of her husband in 1731. A Princess of Modena, she had been among those seriously considered as a possible bride for Louis XV, the king of France though the French Prime Minister, the Duke of Bourbon, regarded her inferior rank as an impediment. Her marriage to Antonio Farnese was arranged by Count Anvidi, his secretary of state. The day prior to his death, Antonio announced that Enrichetta was pregnant and a Regency council for the potential heir consisting of Enrichetta, a bishop, the first Secretary of State and two gentlemen of the Court was formed following Antonio's death. The Queen of Spain and the Pope supporting the 12 year old Don Carlos claim to the Duchy, questioned her pregnancy. Though initially supported by the Emperor who opposed Spanish influence, the Second Treaty of Vienna officially recognized the Infante Don Charles as the Duke of Vienna and Piacenza and the Emperor was forced to retract his support. Enrichetta discontinued her original plan to arrange a simulated birth. She later married Prince Leopold of Hesse-Darmstadt.
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