FREDERICK II: (1712-1786) King of Prussia 1740-86, known as Frederick The Great. A very fine L.S., `Frederic´, a bold ink signature, one page, 4to, Potsdam, 24th February 1749, to Mr. Neaulme, in French. The letter refers to some books that the King wants and is due to be paid to the librarian, stating `Le Roy ayant reçu la représentation du libraire Neaulme du 18 de ce mois touchant un compte de livres qu´il prétend avoir fourni pour Sa Majesté, Elle lui fait savoir qu´il n´a qu´à envoyer le dit compte au Trésorier privé Fredersdorff , qui le payera.´ (Translation: "The King having received the representation of the bookseller Neaulme on the 18th of this month regarding a pending amount for books which he purports to have delivered to His Majesty, the King informs him that he only has to send the said bill to the Privy Treasurer Fredersdorff, who will pay it.") Paper showing an attractive watermark. With blank integral leaf. G to VG

Michael Gabriel Fredersdorf (1708-1758) was the longest-standing valet and companion of Frederick II of Prussia.

The King and Fredersdorf met when the future Frederick II was still in prison for having attempted to run off with his former companion. Fredersdorf, son of a peasant, served in the army, and was four years older than the heir to the throne. Historians have speculated that Fredersdorf and Frederick II had a homosexual relationship. Voltaire would later describe the relationship in his Memoires as, "This young soldier, handsome, well made, and who played the flute, served to entertain the prisoner in more than one fashion." When Frederick ascended to the throne in 1740, he made Fredersdorf his private treasurer and, within less than a month, gave him the estate of Zernikow as a present.