Georges DUMÉZIL

Autograph letter dated and signed by Georges Dumézil to Thierry Maulnier—though not referred to by name—four pages on a bifolium written in blue ballpoint pen on stationery bearing the letterhead of the Académie française, discussing his recent work "Le dieu masqué".

Rust marks from a paperclip visible at the top of the leaves.

Georges Dumézil expresses agreement with the views of his fellow Immortal: "Je reconnais pour moi cet agnoticisme indulgent (156 - 787) ce scepticisme sans découragement dans son 'léger sourire' (324, - et la fin de 604, 611...) [...] Le Dieu masqué suppose un dieu, ou l'équivalent. Je pense moi, au conte d'Edgar Poe, 'Le spectre de la mort rouge' : quand on l'a dépouillé de ses voiles, démailloté, démasqué, il ne reste rien de palpable ni d'imaginable. Le mystère de son mouvement, de son être est néant. Et pourtant, il tue, donc il est."

The historian of religion continues, refining his line of thought: "Chez l'homme, le foisonnement des neurones, le langage qui en est sorti (voir 163, 172 et surtout 242, où vous rejoignez Hagège), commandent, réclament l'exercice, et tout s'ensuit. Et puis, il y a ce que j'ai envie d'appeler le besoin de confort, chaque individu est engagé pour une part minime, dans le mouvement d'évolution dont il est produit, et dont, pro parte nirili, sans en avoir connaissance, il prépare la suite le corps humain, (si des inventions à double effet lui en laissent le temps) travaille volens nolens pour on ne sait quoi, qui se réglera dans des centaines, des milliers de siècles." while also offering a few minor points of divergence.

He concludes his letter with this fine compliment: "Vous rejoignez sur ma tablette intime Marc Aurèle (en mieux habillé) et Sénèque (sans sa réthorique). J'attends le quatrième troupeau des vaches sacrées. Tel est, pour 1986, mon premier voeu..."

 

Autograph letter dated and signed, one page by Georges Dumézil addressed to Thierry Maulnier (13 lines in black ink on a sheet with Collège de France letterhead).
Central folds inherent to the mailing, printed stamp "Fonds archives privées Maulnier" in lower left corner of the missive.
The Immortal Georges Dumézil thanks his fellow academician Thierry Maulnier for sending his Introduction à la poésie française, of which he makes a mixed critique: "Votre Introduction à la poésie française, que je ne connaissais que de renom, m'a donné les jouissances et irritations attendues." (Your Introduction to French Poetry, which I knew only by reputation, has given me the expected pleasures and irritations.)" specifying his thought: "... il suffit de s'entendre sur les mots, et d'abord sur "poésie". [...] Mais quand votre tondeuse est passée, mon vieux mauvais goût relève quelques têtes (je n'ose pas dire de nom. Si j'adore Chantecler)." (... it suffices to agree on the words, and first on "poetry". [...] But when your lawnmower has passed, my old bad taste raises a few heads (I dare not mention names. If I adore Chantecler).)"

Original photograph. Period silver print in black and white. Artist's proof signed on verso.
Portrait of writer Georges Dumézil.
In 1983 Bruno de Monès began a regular collaboration with Le Magazine littéraire which would continue until the mid-1990s.

First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy despite the very last pages very slightly dog-eared at head.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Georges Dumézil to the historian specializing in medieval history Jean Schneider.

First edition.
Handsome copy despite the boards lightened at head.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Two small stains at head of first endpaper and on verso of front board facing it, slight tear without loss at foot of title page.
Autograph inscription signed by Georges Dumézil to René Etiemble.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Georges Dumézil to René Etiemble.

first edition for which no large papers were taken, one of the review copies service.
Autographed autograph dedication of the author from Georges Dumézil to Pierre Dumayet.
Back slightly insolated.

First edition of which there were no large paper copies.
Autograph inscription from Georges Dumézil.
A good copy.

First edition for which it was not drawn from great papers.
Back slightly cleared.
Signed autograph of Georges Dumézil to Jacques Soustelle: "... these reveries Euro-Asian ..."

Fourth edition for which no large papers have been taken, one of the review copies service.
Autographed autograph dedication of the author from Georges Dumézil to Pierre Dumayet.
A label on the back.

Second edition partly original because reworked and for which it was not taken from large papers.
Autographed autograph dedication of the author from Georges Dumézil to Pierre Dumayet.
Lightly insulated boards in feet.

Edition of wich no leading copies exists.
autograph dedication of the author autograph signed by Georges Dumézil Christian Rale and Gerard Lacresse.
A small tear in foot of the back.