Eugène-Francois VIDOCQ (1775-1857)

Autograph Letter Signed (“Vidocq”) to Madame Lefevre hoping to develop their acquaintance.
1 page 4to in French with integral blank leaf, n.p., 17 September 1845.    
Trans: “The gracious manner in which you welcomed us makes us wish and hope that you will allow us to have the honour to cultivate this acquaintance; would you be good enough to serve as interpreter with Doctor Curie and his interesting wife and present them my respectful regards.”
Eugène-Francois Vidocq, a criminal who “turned gamekeeper” as founder the Sureté Nationale and his own private detective agency led a remarkably colourful life. It included several spells in prison, quite a few women (occasionally he married them), scattered duels, and finally founder of the national investigative branch of the police.
He made enemies of some in the higher ranks of the police however, and in the early 1840s he was once again out of favour with the police. In 1843 he established a branch of his own detective agency in London. It did not succeed, although he did manage to obtain a guided tour of Pentonville prison during his stay.
He returned to London in 1845 where he appeared on stage giving an account of his life, his time in prison, his many escapes, duels and love life, which no doubt both  enthralled and shocked Victorian audiences.
This letter, addressed to Madame Lefevre (evidently a French lady), requesting her to be “interpreter” with Doctor Curie (possibly English) leaves many questions unanswered. The identity of Madame Lefevre, Doctor Curie, and his “interesting wife” are mysterious. It is worth noting that three years later, in the summer of 1848, Vidocq was back in London, spying on Louis Napoleon, nephew of the late Emperor. Vidocq lived long enough to see Louis Napoleon become Napoleon III.

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