MESRINE, Jacques: Rare and antiquarian books, inscribed books and letters, and manuscripts

Jacques MESRINE
L'instinct de mort
Jean-Claude Lattès|Paris 1977|14 x 22.50 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Spine wrinkled as usual, minor marginal rubbing to boards.
A rare and handsome copy.
€300
Jacques MESRINE
"...Enfin cela est un gros poids d'enlevé pour toi. Tu te retrouveras chez toi dans un décor que tu as aimé"Autograph love letter, dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, written from the prison of Fleury-Mérogis and addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider, for whom he has just found accommodation after his next release
Fleury-Mérogis 21 Septembre 1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Tuesday, September 21, 1976, 68 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his lover at the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript ofInstinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
A horizontal fold inherent to the envelope placement, a small tear in the right margin of the letter at the fold level.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison, arranged with his mother for her to cede, upon her departure from the Paris region, her Clichy apartment to Jeanne Schneider after his possible provisional release: "J'ai eu un très agréable parloir avec maman. J'ai au moins une bonne nouvelle à t'annoncer. Pour Clichy c'est d'accord... Comme elle va vivre presque tout le temps à la montagne tu auras l'appartement pour toi. Je paierai le loyer. Elle a tout de suite dit d'accord après mon explication... [...] Je me doute de ta joie, de savoir que tu pourras vivre à Clichy - si près de notre papy... toujours présent de par l'amour que nous avons pour lui. Je suis certain que cette petite nouvelle te remonte le moral." (I had a very pleasant visit with mama. I have at least one good piece of news to tell you. For Clichy it's agreed... Since she's going to live almost all the time in the mountains you'll have the apartment to yourself. I'll pay the rent. She immediately said yes after my explanation... [...] I can imagine your joy, knowing that you'll be able to live in Clichy - so close to our grandpa... always present through the love we have for him. I'm certain this little news will lift your spirits.)
His daughter Sabrina worries him and he senses that he will have to be severe regarding her behavioral lapses: "De Sabrina rien ! Il y a une chance pour qu'actuellement elle me prépare un "douze" je ne peux t'en parler sur lettre... mais j'ai l'impression que la puce me ment sur certaines choses... elle prend peut-être une route où il va me falloir la plus grande fermeté. J'ai demandé à maman de vérifier si elle va bien à l'école." (Nothing from Sabrina! There's a chance that currently she's preparing a "twelve" for me, I can't talk about it in a letter... but I have the impression that the kid is lying to me about certain things... she's perhaps taking a path where I'll need the greatest firmness. I asked mama to check if she's doing well in school.)
News of his "godson," the famous robber Jean-Charles Willoquet, with whom he organized his escape from La Santé prison where they had met, makes him prouder: "J'ai reçu la photo du plus jeune détenu de France à savoir mon filleul "Willy Willoquet" dans sa cour de promenade. c'est émouvant et triste à la fois !" (I received the photo of the youngest prisoner in France, namely my godson "Willy Willoquet" in his exercise yard. It's moving and sad at the same time!)
The situation of his young protégé cut off from all contact with his loved ones and the people who love him reminds him of his own personal situation and the indignities of a prisoner's isolated existence: "Je me demande comment va réagir Martine quand on va lui enlever ? Enfin c'est le destin qu'elle a choisi et accepté. Elle paie cher le prix de l'amour... Vous le payez toutes "très cher"..." (I wonder how Martine will react when they take him away from her? Well, it's the destiny she chose and accepted. She pays dearly the price of love... You all pay it "very dearly"...)
In order to quickly erase this morose and implacable truth, Jacques Mesrine plunges into schoolboy humor and affectionately mocks his lover's physical flaws: "J'espère que la bonne nouvelle va te rendre ton sourire. eh ! la mémé... boutons sur la gueule... ou pas ! Je t'adore... il ne fallait pas flirter avec "voyou" ! C'est lui qui t'as passé cela (sic) nanou d'amour, ton viejo pirate monte à l'abordage de tes lèvres.. et... !! tu coules ! " (I hope the good news will bring back your smile. hey! granny... pimples on your face... or not! I adore you... you shouldn't have flirted with "rogue"! He's the one who gave you that, nanou of love, your old pirate boards your lips... and...!! you're sinking!)
A rare and very beautiful letter from Jacques Mesrine in which he displays all the intense affection he bears for his companion and the strong feelings with which he surrounds the people he loves.

€1,800
Jacques MESRINE
"Mais le plus important est que tu retrouves cette pute de liberté. Après ce sera aux avocates de jouer pour un régime plus souple... Je te parle comme si tu étais déjà libre...Que "veux-tu" j'y crois. [...] Je lutte et je lutterai toujours pour toi car je t'aime..."Autograph love letter, dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, written from the prison of Fleury-Mérogis and addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider about the fight for his provisional release
Fleury-Mérogis 18 Octobre 1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Monday October 18, 1976, 68 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his love of the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of theInstinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison, seeks to reassure his love whom he is helping, through his lawyers, so that she might obtain provisional freedom: "C'est que je sens que cela va être bon et cela malgré que les avocates m'avaient déconseillé de le faire... tu sais que je fais de la prémonition (mais dans le bon sens). Je sais que ma lettre les fait réfléchir... cela j'en suis certain. C'est la première fois que j'interviens pour toi. Ca aussi a de l'importance..." ("It's that I feel this is going to be good despite my lawyers having advised me against doing it... you know I have premonitions (but in a good way). I know my letter makes them think... of this I am certain. This is the first time I'm intervening for you. That too is important...") and thanks to whom she should regain freedom: "Mais le plus important est que tu retrouves cette pute de liberté. Après ce sera aux avocates de jouer pour un régime plus souple... Je te parle comme si tu étais déjà libre...Que "veux-tu" j'y crois." ("But the most important thing is that you regain this damn freedom. After that it will be up to the lawyers to work for a more lenient regime... I'm talking to you as if you were already free... What can I say, I believe in it.")
Overflowing with enthusiasm and certainty for the success of these proceedings regarding Jeanne's provisional freedom and sure of the weight of his intervention, the indomitable Mesrine fumes at the idea of a hypothetical refusal by the prison authorities: "Quel affreux pirate qui te donne de l'espoir. Non mon ange, je ne sais absolument rien. Sauf que le Président a dit que je le menaçais sur ma lettre. J'ai été très dur et à juste raison, car la plaisanterie a assez durée. Toi tu supporteras ton refus.. moi je ne l'accepterai plus. C'est pas plus compliqué que cela. Car tu as assez payé... même trop..." ("What a terrible pirate giving you hope. No my angel, I know absolutely nothing. Except that the President said I was threatening him in my letter. I was very harsh and rightly so, because the joke has gone on long enough. You will endure your refusal... I will no longer accept it. It's no more complicated than that. Because you have paid enough... even too much...")
Public enemy No. 1 takes the opportunity again to shatter this reputation as a bloodthirsty beast that sticks to his skin: "Si les journalistes savaient que toutes les infirmières entraient seules dans ma cellule et en toute confiance, on serait loin du "fauve" et de la prise d'otages à la Buffet. Les infirmières ont toujours été sacrées pour moi. Elles sont intouchables comme pas mal d'autres personnes, mais cela les pédés de journalistes l'ignorent ; car ils ne sont pas dans mes pensées et c'est regrettable parfois." ("If journalists knew that all the nurses entered my cell alone and in complete confidence, we would be far from the 'beast' and the hostage-taking like Buffet. Nurses have always been sacred to me. They are untouchable like many other people, but those journalist faggots don't know this; because they are not in my thoughts and that's sometimes regrettable.")
Jacques Mesrine speaks of the creation of his work L'instinct de mort and his health in a fatalistic manner: "Autrement tout est ok, sauf mes douleurs au coeur qui me reprennent... mais je laisse faire, car je n'aime pas prendre de médicaments. Et puis le mécanisme s'arrêtera le jour "J" du destin. Peut-être dans tes bras... qui sait ? ("Otherwise everything is ok, except my heart pains that are returning... but I let it be, because I don't like taking medication. And then the mechanism will stop on the 'D' day of destiny. Maybe in your arms... who knows?")
He ends his letter still full of hope for the upcoming liberation of his beloved: "Ce qui compte pour moi c'est de te voir libre et fini les folies, car je ne veux plus te voir retourner en prison. Je n'ai besoin que de ton amour. Le reste, c'est mon affaire. [...] Je t'adore vivement que l'on ouvre ta cage. Bonne nuit chaton et garde confiance ok."" ("What matters to me is to see you free and no more madness, because I don't want to see you return to prison again. I only need your love. The rest is my business. [...] I adore you, I'm eager for them to open your cage. Good night kitten and keep faith ok.")
Rare and very fine letter from Jacques Mesrine in which he demonstrates all his fierce ardor and his indestructible conviction in his fight for the liberation of his beloved.

€1,800
"She's an exceptional woman, [...] I considered her like a mother [...] Woe to anyone who would touch a single hair on her head."
"She's an exceptional woman, [...] I considered her like a mother [...] Woe to anyone who would touch a single hair on her head."
Jacques MESRINE
"Sais-tu que je commence à me plaire ici... Quel calme tu sais manou"Beautiful autograph love letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, full of revolt against journalists and full of admiration for the intimates, written from the prison of Fleury-Mérogis and addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider
Fleury-Mérogis 22 Septembre1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Saturday September 22, 1976, 67 lines in blue ink on one page recto verso addressed to his love of the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of Instinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison and deprived of human warmth, is enthusiastic about all the visits he receives in the visiting room, thus dispelling the myth of the antisocial bandit devoid of human feelings: "And after that they'll say I'm a savage! No, quite the contrary, and people who have had contact with me want to see me again. This gave me immense pleasure and do you know what happened next... she's also going to ask to see you. Apparently I'm missed by the nurses 'mister smile' that's the secret."
He particularly appreciated the visit from the nurse at La Santé prison who would also be their wedding witness with Jeanne Schneider and whom he praises: "... an enormous surprise! You'll never guess who came to see me! My nurse from La Santé... yes my darling... that charming lady with white hair whom you had seen in the visiting room at La Santé and who is to be our witness at our wedding [...] She's an exceptional woman, a former military nurse and quite well-placed in the ministry. During my 2 and a half years at La Santé I considered her like a mother, this woman is so devoted it's unthinkable. Woe to anyone who would touch a single hair on her head."
Public enemy No. 1 takes the opportunity again to break this reputation as a bloodthirsty beast that sticks to him: "If journalists knew that all the nurses entered my cell alone and with complete confidence, we'd be far from the 'beast' and hostage-taking à la Buffet. Nurses have always been sacred to me. They are untouchable like quite a few other people, but those journalist faggots don't know that; because they're not in my thoughts and that's regrettable sometimes."
Jacques Mesrine the rebel is surprised to find himself appreciating his prison solitude: "Do you know that I'm beginning to like it here... What calm you know manou, my isolation, I bear it insofar as I have peace. In detention it's not proven that I would have it. It's my reactions I'm afraid of... and the mentality of so-called crooks is increasingly disgusting! [...] in my isolation, there's good and bad... but personally, I don't want to complain... because there's no reason to do so." and ends his letter with paternal considerations for his daughter who is not very assiduous at school and for whom he worries: "I'm going to find out if Sabrina has been regularly attending her classes... I hope so because if the opposite were the case... no mercy this time... But what worry this kid can represent and what powerlessness I have to control her being here!"
Rare and very fine letter from Jacques Mesrine overflowing with reverence for the nursing profession and regrettable detestation for that of journalists.

€1,800
"Le pire que l'on puisse faire à un juge, c'est lui enlever toute autorité devant les autres et crois moi il l'a bien compris" ["The worst thing you can do to a judge is to remove all his authority in front of others and believe me he understood it well"]
"Le pire que l'on puisse faire à un juge, c'est lui enlever toute autorité devant les autres et crois moi il l'a bien compris" ["The worst thing you can do to a judge is to remove all his authority in front of others and believe me he understood it well"]
Jacques MESRINE
"j'ai eu la visite du juge Madre. Tu aurais rigolé, car il a eu droit à tout mon vocabulaire..."Beautiful autograph letter dated and signed of revolt from Jacques Mesrine written from the prison of Fleury-Mérogis addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider
Fleury-Mérogis 2 Décembre1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Thursday December 2, 1976, 65 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his love at the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of Instinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison, feels unwell and helpless far from his companion and from all human warmth:

"Ce soir je suis très mal foutu... il est 19 heures et je me couche juste après la fin de ta lettre... de rien de grave... juste une grande fatigue (à rien faire)" ["Tonight I feel really awful... it's 7 PM and I'm going to bed just after finishing your letter... nothing serious... just very tired (from doing nothing)"]

As a good father, Jacques Mesrine rejoices in his daughter's happiness: "Je suis heureux que sa veste lui plaise... de plus c'est la mode... son Loïc chéri ne va plus la reconnaître..." ["I'm happy that she likes her jacket... plus it's fashionable... her dear Loïc won't recognize her anymore..."] and shows himself neither surprised nor more than amused that his daughter wants to embrace the Jewish religion:

"Comme cela la puce veut prendre la religion juive... encore une idée à elle... oui je sais elle a fait croire à ses copains qu'elle était juive... car eux l'étaient...si cela l'amuse je la laisse libre... mais ça démontre aussi un dédoublement de personnalité..." ["So the little one wants to take up the Jewish religion... another one of her ideas... yes I know she made her friends believe she was Jewish... because they were... if it amuses her I leave her free... but it also shows a split personality..."]

Public enemy No. 1 evokes with a certain pride his latest confrontation with his judge, a fierce revenge of the insubordinate against the penitentiary universe that crushes men:

"Aujourd'hui j'ai eu la visite du juge Madre. Tu aurais rigolé, car il a eu droit à tout mon vocabulaire... il en perdait la parole (j'ai pris mon pied (sic)) A un moment il me dit "mais c'est quand même moi qui commande... Réponse de ton bibi : "Ici pédé" c'est moi ton patron". Il était vert et les flics se marraient comme des perdus." ["Today I had a visit from Judge Madre. You would have laughed, because he got my full vocabulary... he was speechless (I had a ball) At one point he tells me 'but I'm still the one in charge... Your boy's response: 'Here, faggot, I'm your boss.' He was green and the cops were laughing like crazy."]

and against all submission to any form of power or violence:

"Le pire que l'on puisse faire à un juge, c'est lui enlever toute autorité devant les autres et crois moi il l'a bien compris. Il était venu avec 5 anti-commandos... L'un avait la bombe de gaz à la main... au cas où? Loin d'être impressionné... cela me rend con..." ["The worst thing you can do to a judge is to remove all his authority in front of others and believe me he understood it well. He had come with 5 anti-commandos... One had the gas canister in his hand... just in case? Far from being impressed... it makes me crazy..."]

The eternal rebel ends his letter with a beautiful testimony of tenderness for his beloved:

"Là ma puce je vais prendre mon lit en marche...Ton vieux voyou pose ses lèvres sur le tiennes en une douce caresse d'amour. je t'adore petite fille... car nous sommes réellement le "couple" et plus encore. Bonne nuit chaton." ["There my little one I'm going to take to my bed... Your old rogue places his lips on yours in a sweet caress of love. I adore you little girl... because we are truly the 'couple' and even more. Good night kitten."]

Rare and very fine letter by Jacques Mesrine full of revolt and insubordination.

€1,800
Jacques MESRINE
"Je ne veux plus te voir en prison car toi dehors c'est un peu de moi même qui sera libre. Tu donnes une parole pour cette liberté... prouve que nous autres, la tenons toujours en bien comme en mal. C'est ce qui nous unit le plus ; voyous, dangereux ?... mais droits"Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine written from the prison of Fleury-Mérogis addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider who was then incarcerated and who could soon be released
Fleury-Mérogis 21 Octobre 1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter signed and dated by Jacques Mesrine, dated Thursday October 21, 1976, 70 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his lover at the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of Instinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison, rejoices at having been able to speak with his beloved in the visiting room, who was also imprisoned: "What a very pleasant visit, you were moreover very feminine in that outfit which is very much in your style as a woman... even worth double the price because I like it" and attempts to reassure her so that she does not lose all fight against the prison system that crushes inmates: "But if by misfortune a new refusal should affect you, do not have that bad reaction you told me about because those who surround you and have helped you do not deserve to pay for the injustice of others. You will have to face it as always. Because the doors will open one day and you know it."
As a protective patriarch, Jacques Mesrine worries about the despair that could strike her and her daughter Murielle placed with social services: "But I worry enormously about you, because you have a limit... and I believe you have reached it! or almost... Regarding Mury and that bogus judge... we will see about removing her from social services... I prefer to pay for her studies and Mrs. Chevallier and all her upkeep if necessary. If you get out! Tell me... so many women to support... I'd better work overtime (sic)"
Public enemy No. 1 evokes Jeanne Schneider's upcoming freedom while ordering her not to fall back into criminality: "...If you get out, formal prohibition from getting involved with me on a level that we both understand very well. I don't want to see you in prison anymore because you outside is a little bit of myself that will be free. You give your word for this freedom... prove that we others always keep it in good times as in bad"
Jacques Mesrine praises his companion's integrity, the keystone of their strong union through the deprivation of freedom: "This is what unites us most; criminals, dangerous?... but honest. This is what makes me love you, with you no unpleasant surprises; you are 'white-blue' and for me you have the value of a diamond. It is the only stone that is harder than steel (sic)... but less hard than me (resic)"
He ends this missive with this humorous note reflecting the terrible intrusive reality of the penitentiary system: "And if my Christmas package is prepared by you... the administration will X-ray it" but also with these tender words: "Sweet kisses rest on your lips... gesture of love that has united us always and for a long time... EL VIEJO Bandido!"
Rare and very beautiful letter from Jacques Mesrine in which we discover him protective and eager for freedom for his companion and for whom honesty must be erected as a rule of life.

€1,800
Jacques MESRINE
"Tu sais j'ai bien réfléchi pour le bouquin... il doit y avoir veto quelque part... car s'il était publié cela retarderait mes procès ou un truc dans ce genre..."Autograph letter signed by Jacques Mesrine written from the prison of Fleury-Mérogis on the evening of New Year's Eve on December 31, 1976 addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider whom he nicknamed Nanou d'amour in connection with the publication of his book L'Instinct de mort
Fleury-Mérogis 31 Décembre 1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Friday December 31st, 1976, approximately 70 lines in blue ink on one recto verso page addressed to his love of the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of Instinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison, wondered about the difficulties he might encounter if his Instinct de mort were to appear soon and with which sufficiently courageous publisher it could be edited: "Je vais voir avec mon avocate pour les "presses de la cité" car je crois que l'on peut tirer un trait sur Simone. De toute façon il sera publié par celui acceptera d'en courir le risque" ["I'm going to see with my lawyer about the "presses de la cité" because I think we can draw a line under Simone. In any case it will be published by whoever will accept to run the risk"]
He also advised his beloved on her working conditions: "Au sujet de ton boulot... j'espère que tu as discuté avec ta patronne, car les horaires ne sont pas légaux. ne te laisse pas faire à ce sujet. Vis à vis du procureur tu es obligé de travailler... cela ne veut pas dire être esclave au boulot." ["About your job... I hope you discussed with your boss, because the hours are not legal. don't let yourself be taken advantage of on this subject. With regard to the prosecutor you are obliged to work... that doesn't mean being a slave at work."] and worried about the future of his daughter Sabrina: "Demain j'espère la visite de la puce. je vais avoir une très sérieuse conversation avec elle au sujet de l'avenir. Car elle ne fait rien en classe... donc le mieux pour elle est de travailler pour obtenir un CAP en quelque chose. Elle veut jouer les adultes... alors, il va falloir qu'elle se conduise en adulte." ["Tomorrow I hope for a visit from the little one. I'm going to have a very serious conversation with her about the future. Because she does nothing in class... so the best thing for her is to work to get a vocational certificate in something. She wants to play at being an adult... so, she'll have to behave like an adult."]
Public enemy No. 1 evoked the coming new year: "...l'année nouvelle qui s'annonce... que nous réservera-t-elle... je l'ignore mais rien de bon si la logique se fait loi. cela ne m'empêchera pas de garder mon moral." ["...the new year that is coming... what will it hold for us... I don't know but nothing good if logic becomes law. that won't stop me from keeping my morale up."]
Jacques Mesrine, alone in his cell on the evening of December 31st New Year's Eve, ended this beautiful letter with affectionate thoughts for Jeanne Schneider: "Ce soir j'ai la tête un peu vide... tu comprends mais j'ai le coeur plein de toi et c'est cela qui compte... je vais me mettre dans les draps et penser à toi. Ton vieux voyou pose de tendres bécots sur tout ce qui est toi. Bonne nuit chaton. Te quiero." ["Tonight my head is a bit empty... you understand but my heart is full of you and that's what counts... I'm going to get into the sheets and think of you. Your old rogue places tender kisses on everything that is you. Good night kitten. Te quiero."] and with this humorous note: "...tu connais cette blague : c'est une femme condamnée à mort... arrivée devant la guillotine elle embrasse le verre que l'on vient de lui servir. Le procureur demande : "elle est folle, que fait-elle". L'avocat lui répond "elle embrasse son dernier rhum" Pas mal hein. un petit sourire ma puce." ["...do you know this joke: it's a woman condemned to death... arrived in front of the guillotine she kisses the glass that has just been served to her. The prosecutor asks: "is she crazy, what is she doing". The lawyer replies "she's kissing her last rum" Not bad eh. a little smile my darling."]
Rare and very beautiful letter from Jacques Mesrine in which we see him preoccupied with his daughter's future, where he shows himself as a union advisor and concerned about the publication of his work Instinct de mort.

€1,800
Jacques MESRINE
"J'ai reçu une lettre de Betty qui me remercie, car je lui ai offerte une mobylette. Pourquoi me diras-tu ? Tout simplement parce que j'aime voir les enfants heureux et je crois que leur bonheur m'est nécessaire. Cette môme me plaît de par sa mentalité...""Autograph letter written from the Santé prison, dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider, whom he nicknamed Nanou d'amour
Paris 11 Octobre 1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Monday, October 11, 1976, 70 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his love of the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of Instinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at La Santé, showers with gifts the people he loves because he wants their happiness: "Comme cela j'ai payé une mobylette à mes trois gamines. Toi ce sera une quatre roues (sic)." ["Like this I paid for a moped for my three girls. For you it will be four wheels (sic)."]
He shows all his affection for a young girl named Betty whom he seems to cherish more than his own daughter Sabrina: "Peut-être que je recherche en Betty ce que je ne trouve pas en Sabrina et que Mury m'a refusé ! Tu sais mon ange ; à 15 ans j'aurais tellement aimé avoir un copain de 40 ans à qui je puisse tout dire, qui sache m'aider ou m'offrir mon rêve. Peut-être que ce cadeau, je me le fais à moi-même..." ["Maybe I'm looking for in Betty what I don't find in Sabrina and what Mury refused me! You know my angel; at 15 I would have loved so much to have a 40-year-old friend to whom I could tell everything, who would know how to help me or offer me my dream. Maybe this gift, I'm giving it to myself..."] for whom he has no more confidence, feeling betrayed: "Mais on ne devient jamais l'ami de quelqu'un qui vous juge. Pas plus que pour Sabrina ! qui elle m'a trompé dans ma confiance donc dans mon amour... Quand on use les sentiments, ils ne redeviennent jamais les mêmes." ["But one never becomes the friend of someone who judges you. No more than with Sabrina! who deceived my trust and therefore my love... When feelings are worn out, they never become the same again."]
Public enemy No. 1 takes great pride in his relationship with Jeanne Schneider based on honesty: "C'est peut-être pour cela que je me suis toujours refusé à te mentir - quitte à te faire souffir. Je n'ai aucun passé...mais un seul présent "Toi". C'est peut-être cela qui fait que notre amour dure depuis 10 ans " ["Maybe that's why I've always refused to lie to you - even if it means making you suffer. I have no past...but only one present 'You'. Maybe that's what makes our love last for 10 years "]
Jacques Mesrine then turns to material considerations, so important for a prisoner: "J'ai reçu ton linge. Je ne risque pas d'avoir froid cet hiver. Le polo est très bien." ["I received your clothes. I won't risk being cold this winter. The polo shirt is very good."] before castigating the inhumanity of the prison system and its indifference to suffering: "Mais nous n'avons rien à attendre des juges et si ma lettre au président a été ferme, c'est le genre de lettre qu'il comprendra mieux que le style ventre à terre..." ["But we have nothing to expect from judges and if my letter to the president was firm, it's the kind of letter he will understand better than the groveling style..."]
As an eternally untamed man, Jacques Mesrine never ceases to advocate fighting against the prison administration: "On ne se défend pas en mettant sa tête dans le sable comme l'autruche ! Dès l'instant où l'on prend une arme dans la main... il faut s'attendre à payer ! que Michou le comprenne ce n'est pas le moment d'être "bébé" mais celui d'être femme..." ["You don't defend yourself by putting your head in the sand like an ostrich! From the moment you take a weapon in your hand... you must expect to pay! let Michou understand this is not the time to be a 'baby' but to be a woman..."]
Jacques Mesrine ends this beautiful letter with a moving declaration of love full of optimistic humor: "Ton vieux tigre pose de doux bécots sur tout ce qui est toi. Bonne nuit chaton et un moral d'acier est de rigueur ok. Je t'adore (chanceuse) & Ton mystère Jacques !! "Te adoro A toi seule." ["Your old tiger puts gentle kisses on everything that is you. Good night kitten and a steel morale is required ok. I adore you (lucky one) & Your mystery Jacques !! 'Te adoro A toi seule.'"]
Rare and very beautiful letter from public enemy No. 1 in which we see him as pugnacious as ever and where we discover him disappointed by his daughter, taken with affection for a young girl he would like to consider as his own child, and still as much in love with his companion.

€1,800
Jacques MESRINE
"Il n'y a pas de cause perdue d'avance. Dans la vie il faut se battre jusqu'au bout. tu sais pourtant ce que cela représente. Tu vois, moi je vais au maximum ! et pourtant je vais me défendre toutes dents dehors. Car ma liberté il faudra me la prendre. Je ne la donnerai pas faute de combat ! "Autograph letter written from the Santé prison, dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider, whom he nicknamed Nanou d'amour
Paris 12 Octobre 1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Tuesday, October 12, 1976, 70 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his love of the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of Instinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine then incarcerated at La Santé shows great tenderness and reveals himself in another light, that of the affectionate and attentive lover: "Bonsoir petite fille... tu aimes bien jouer "au St Bernard", tu ne changeras jamais à ce sujet. C'est toi qui a 7 ans 1/2 de taule et tu dois remonter le moral des "gamines" qui ont joué du calibre !" ["Good evening little girl... you like to play 'the St Bernard', you'll never change about that. You're the one who has 7 and a half years of jail and you have to cheer up the 'girls' who played with guns!"]
He praises and is somewhat amazed by his companion's devotion to a couple of young criminals: "Tu me parles d'une sentence de 20 ans pour elle ! tu rigoles ou quoi... elle ne peut pas prendre plus de 8 ans je la vois plutôt avec 5 ou 6, si les choses s'arrangent. Son mari avec 20 ans au maximum." ["You talk to me about a 20-year sentence for her! are you kidding or what... she can't get more than 8 years I see her more with 5 or 6, if things work out. Her husband with 20 years maximum."] and tries to transmit all his optimism, his pugnacity and to cheer her up: "Tu sais, ma puce; quand tu m'écris que la cause de Michou, est une cause perdue d'avance je ne te comprends plus. Il n'y a pas de cause perdue d'avance. Dans la vie il faut se battre jusqu'au bout. tu sais pourtant ce que cela représente. Tu vois, moi je vais au maximum ! et pourtant je vais me défendre toutes dents dehors. Car ma liberté il faudra me la prendre. Je ne la donnerai pas faute de combat !" ["You know, my darling; when you write to me that Michou's cause is a lost cause from the start I don't understand you anymore. There is no lost cause from the start. In life you have to fight to the end. you know what that represents though. You see, I'm going for the maximum! and yet I'm going to defend myself tooth and nail. Because my freedom will have to be taken from me. I won't give it up for lack of fighting!"]
Jacques Mesrine also evokes his love of horse racing while boasting of being a betting specialist: "Oui j'avais joué "Dernier tango" mais seulement à la place. J'avais 2000frs dessus, je gagne donc 6000frs. Ce n'est pas de la chance, mais un savant calcul. Il m'arrive de perdre mais avec ma méthode, je suis obligé d'être gagnant... Forécement pour la suivre il faut un certain capital. J'ai mis plus d'un an à faire tous les calculs de probabilité. Cela doit me rapporter à peu près 7000frs par mois. Net d'impots (sic)..." ["Yes I had bet on 'Dernier tango' but only for place. I had 2000frs on it, so I win 6000frs. It's not luck, but a scientific calculation. I sometimes lose but with my method, I have to be a winner... Obviously to follow it you need a certain capital. I spent more than a year doing all the probability calculations. It should bring me about 7000frs per month. Net of taxes (sic)..."]
He ironizes about his situation as a prisoner having plenty of time to devise his financial gain strategies: "J'ai aussi mis au point une méthode pour le jeu de baccara. Que veux-tu... j'ai le temps de calculer un tac de choses (sic !) Tu me comprends ? ... L'administration aussi ! (resic). " ["I also developed a method for baccarat. What do you want... I have time to calculate a bunch of things (sic!) You understand me? ... The administration too! (resic)."] but deplores his impossibility to continue writing Instinct de mort: "... je suis actuellement incapable d'écrire une page de mon bouquin... je ne sais pas comment tourner ce passage-là... enfin je vais bien trouver la solution." ["... I am currently unable to write a page of my book... I don't know how to phrase this passage... well I'll find the solution."]
Jacques Mesrine ends this beautiful letter with a moving declaration of love full of hope and future and imbued with a certain innocence: "Nanou d'amour. Votre futur "z'époux" qui pour l'instant n'est que votre "vieil amant" pose ses lèvres sur les tiennes en une douce caresse amoureuse... Te quiero & EL VIEJO." ["Nanou of love. Your future 'husband' who for now is only your 'old lover' places his lips on yours in a gentle loving caress... Te quiero & EL VIEJO."]
Rare and very beautiful letter from public enemy No. 1 in which we discover him animated by great benevolence, tender love for his beloved and... horse racing.

€1,800
Jacques MESRINE
L'instinct de mort
Jean-Claude Lattès|Paris 1977|14 x 22.50 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Gift inscription in blue pen from a previous owner at head of an endpaper.
Rare and handsome copy.
€300
Jacques MESRINE
"Je t'aime ma puce... mais cette détention me rend dingue, tellement je me sens impuissant devant la connerie ! "Autograph love letter, dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, written from the prison of Fleury-Merogis and addressed to his companion Jeanne Schneider, enriched with an original drawing representing a bouquet of flowers
Fleury-Mérogis 29 Décembre 1976|21 x 29.50 cm|une page recto verso
Autograph letter signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Wednesday 29 December 1976, addressed to Jeanne Schneider, his love interest of the time. She smuggled out of prison the manuscript of his famous autobiography L'Instinct de mort. 66 lines in blue ink on two pages of a leaf. In the top left-hand corner of the letter, Jacques Mesrine has drawn a bouquet of flowers in multicoloured felt-tip pens. Usual horizontal fold, small tear to the fold in the right-hand margin.
Jacques Mesrine, who was in Fleury-Mérogis prison at the time, was delighted to receive so much proof of love and friendship in the many letters he received from his friends and family.
He, in turn, replied to all his correspondents, and in particular to Madame Panco, who had shown great kindness towards Jeanne Schneider: "I'm going to send my best wishes to Madame Panco, as I do every year... because I haven't forgotten what this woman has done for you... she is a “woman of respect” and a very human person... There are some in the administration (it's rare)'.
The indomitable Mesrine is full of tenderness and delicacy for Jeanne Schneider: ‘I've made you a little bouquet of flowers... to make up for being so unpleasant with you at the moment', but he has no wish in the world to change and submit to anyone's wishes: "What do you want, I'm becoming an old fart with a bloody temper... but I am as I am and have no intention of changing... or else I wouldn't be me any more. I'll tell you one thing, my angel... whether my book works or not... I don't give a damn... there's no way I'm going to start from scratch to make it sweeter."
Public Enemy No. 1 was outraged by the way he was treated by the prison administration after the publication of his polemical book ‘L'instinct de mort' (The Death Instinct ): "In France, the truth is frightening. At the moment I don't go out for a walk. ... I'm in my cell 24 hours a day. The reform! What do you expect me to do in this stupid courtyard in such cold weather? But I'm in great shape! "
He doesn't despair of being released or regaining his freedom soon, much to the dismay of all those who prefer to see him locked up: "I'm going to have to apply for a leave of... 10 years. but if that day comes... how many people are going to shit their pants... a lot of loudmouths who take advantage of the fact that I'm caged up to play the ‘pimp' but I'm free... there are no more ‘pimps'. it's nice to dream...'.
But he also talks about how happy he'll be to see his sweetheart again very soon, even if his condition as a prisoner is weighing on him and enraging him all the more: "I hope we'll finally be able to smile again, I'm going to be the real adorable little guy... well, almost! I love you, sweetheart... but this imprisonment is driving me crazy, I feel so powerless in the face of bullshit! "

A rare and beautiful letter from Jacques Mesrine in which he shows his intense affection for his girlfriend and his strong resentment of the prison system.
Unavailable
Jacques MESRINE
L'instinct de mort
Jean-Claude Lattès|Paris 1977|14 x 22.50 cm|broché
Sold
Jacques MESRINE
L'instinct de mort
Jean-Claude Lattès|Paris 1977|14 x 22.50 cm|broché
Sold
Jacques MESRINE
L'instinct de mort
Jean-Claude Lattès|Paris 1977|14 x 22.50 cm|broché
Sold