265. Lajos Kuthy (1813-1864), writer.

Autograph letter to bookseller Gusztáv Heckenast, addressed "Kedves barátom" (Dear friend).
The opening is remarkable: „Örömmel tudósítalak, hogy tegnap volt szerencsém a’ gróf Batthyány Lajos’ hajlamát számodra megnyernem” (I am delighted to inform you that yesterday I had the honor of securing Count Lajos Batthyány’s interest in your favor). He explains that the Count had previously contracted with Schaumberg, a Viennese bookseller, but they had fallen out over the terms. Kuthy details the matter thoroughly and offers Heckenast careful advice to avoid a similar fate, noting that the deal could yield an annual turnover of 3–4,000 forints. Batthyány specified his preferences: “1. Every Hungarian book. 2. All new political and statistical works in any cultivated language. 3. Literary works by the foremost French authors. 4. Leading English works.” Finally, Kuthy turns to his own affairs, asking Heckenast to apply the sum due to him toward a soon-maturing bill of exchange.
Kuthy entered Batthyány’s circle in 1843, gaining his trust; the letter likely dates from that period.
3 written pages, with red wax seal. 
Undated.
Provenance: In the envelope of Géza Vasberényi’s collection, with the collection stamp of Lajos Ernst.
 
Starting price: 200 000,-