PRINCESSE MOUSTACHE - NATALYA GALITZINE: (1741-1837) Princess Natalya Galitzine, or Natalia Golitsyna. She inspired ...

PRINCESSE MOUSTACHE - NATALYA GALITZINE: (1741-1837) Princess Natalya Galitzine, or Natalia Golitsyna. She inspired Alexander Pushkin´s The Queen of Spades (1834). Known as Princess Moustache, ''Whiskered Princess'' or ''Bearded Fairy''. A Russian noble, born Countess Chernysheva, and lady in waiting of Catherine the Great who awarded her with a gold medal for her dance in the masquerade in 1766 and appointed her with the Order of St. Catherine´s first degree. She also lived in France, participating in the French court life and was known as the ''Venus of Moscow'' for her skilful dance at balls. Natalya Galitzine was widely considered as one of the most learned women in Russia. A Rare and very interesting A.L.S., `Princesse de Galitzin, born Countess Czernichew´, three pages, 4to, St. Petersbourg, 1st of June 1794, to a Marquise, in French. Princess Galitzine first refers to France and its difficult times stating in part `.. I have very often lamented the troubles which are afflicting France now, I feel all what good French must be experiencing with bitterness watching this great Kingdom bust by the wars and disorder..´ further expressing his consternation referring to the Marie-Antoinette´s execution saying `I will not be able to think, without feeling a strong and deep emotion, the details of the death of this Queen who was beloved by everybody and my personal and precious remembrances..´ Further referring to her children and husbands and thanking her correspondent for her help and kindness during her stay in France. Overall minor age wear and creasing, very small staining and bottom edge slightly trimmed, otherwise G £400-600 The Queen of Spades (1834) is a short story by Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837). The character of the old countess was inspired by Princess Natalya Galitzine who served as the lady-in-waiting for 5 Russian emperors. According to legend, Galitzine had been a successful gambler. When her grandson lost a considerable amount of money playing cards and came to her to beg her for money, Galitzine instead revealed to him the secret three cards that Count Saint-Germain showed to her in Paris. However, while the Countess died in the story, Galitzine outlived Pushkin. The story was the basis of the opera of same name by Piotr Illich Tchaikovsky.