The Marquis de SADE, imprisoned, makes his list of commissions.

Donatien Alphonse François de Sade (1740.1814). Marquis de Sade.

Autograph letter to his wife, Renée-Pélagie de Montreuil.

One and a half pages, octavo. (Vincennes Prison). October 15, 1783

The Marquis, imprisoned, gives his wife a list of errands.

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"List of October 15, 1783. I request that the items be sent before the holidays.

The white paper as detailed in the letters.

Arabic lozenges tested before being sent.

The requested linen.

Three more pieces of stomach.

The case.

A table mat with measurements sent.

Two headbands.

Largest size night candles.

The small box of necessities, an object about which it is good to make an observation, is that it is only necessary to me here, and that outside I have no use for it.

The cushion for the rump. Essentially.

The twelve pairs of stockings.

Two bottles of peach wine.

Continuation of the good empire.

Continuing the history of France.

The traveler's suite.

Almanacs and new comedies.

Works by Darnaud.

From Dorat. From St Lambert. From Lille.

The French Decameron, twenty volumes… from 1777 to 17783 (sic)….

Twenty or thirty volumes, because I am absolutely and literally lacking them. I am not asking for a fortnight specifically so that you can send me, instead, books that I absolutely cannot do without for eight days, especially those for a second reading, of which I still have enough for the week and no more. I embrace you with all my heart

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During his imprisonment, Sade read constantly. He consulted the catalogue of the bookseller Mérigot the Younger, at the corner of the Quai des Augustins (now Quai des Grands-Augustins) and the Rue Pavée (now Rue Séguier). After choosing history books, scientific works, texts by philosophers, and travelogues, he would place orders with his wife.