[French Music ][Ballard, Christophe-Jean François. (1701-1765)] Louis XV. (1710 - 1774)
Signed Ballard Music Printing Privilege from King Louis XV
Autograph "brevet de noteur" [music printing privilege], on vellum. Versailles, 6 May, 1750. Signed on behalf of the King "LOUIS [XV]", countersigned "Phélypeaux" by Louis Phélypeaux (1705 - 1777), minister for the Department of the Maison du Roi from 1749 - 1775.In part: "Le Roy...bien informé de la bonne conduite de Cristophe Jean François Ballard Imprimeur ordinaire de sa musique, de son experience dans cette profession et de sa fidelité et affection a son service, Sa Majesté lui a accordé et fait don de la charge de noteur de sa chapelle musique vacante par le decès de Jean Baptiste Christophe Ballard son pere." With a later signed addition from Louis Guy de Guerapin de Vaureal, évêque de Rennes, upon the swearing-in of Ballard as "Noteur de la chapelle de musique de sa Majesté a Versailles" on 3 January, 1755.
The Ballard family of music printers held exclusive royal privilege for printing music in France for over 200 years beginning in 1551 with Robert Ballard's association with Adrian Le Roy under Henry II and continuing through most of the reign of Louis XV. The present document dates from the final period of the great firm which Christophe-Jean François inherited from his father Jean-Baptiste-Christophe in 1715. (6820)
Autograph Letter Classical Music