Sommières (Gard)

Autograph postcard signed "Larry" by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen, on the verso of a reproduction of a drawing by Eben "Etes-vous con...ducteur?" ["Are you a con...ductor?"].
The writer arranges a meeting with his young Montpellier mistress: "... j'arrive vers midi à l'Hôtel Royale [...] si tu es occupée viens me chercher au Coupole le soir. Tout est arrangé avec Liege pour nous recevoir ! J'espère que la pièce mérite notre déplacement. Love. Larry" ["I'm arriving around noon at the Hotel Royale [...] if you're busy come find me at the Coupole in the evening. Everything is arranged with Liege to receive us! I hope the play is worth our trip. Love. Larry"].
After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large residence surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original artworks signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Signed autograph postcard "L.D." by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in red felt-tip pen, on the verso of a reproduction of a small poster Mystification conceived by Jacques Yonnet "Pour nos Hôpitaux, Ambulances, Trains sanitaires, demandez l'Oreiller Militaire Français qui procure le plus doux des soulagements. [...]" ["For our Hospitals, Ambulances, Hospital trains, ask for the French Military Pillow which provides the sweetest relief. [...]"], advertisement extracted from a newspaper taped "en direct avec une glande virile..." ["live with a virile gland..."], envelope included.
The writer organizes a trip with his young Montpellier mistress: "Buttons. je ne vous crois pas ! je suis ici pour 15 jours encore - puis Genève pour une semaine" ["Buttons. I don't believe you! I'm here for another 15 days - then Geneva for a week"].
After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large dwelling surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked at the Department of Antiquities at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, particularly to England, from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original artworks signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard by Lawrence Durrell signed "Dracula" addressed to Jani Brun, written in blue ink, reproduction of a drawing by Marcel Vaysse "Ils sortent...tous les soirs" ["They go out...every evening"], envelope included.
The writer teasingly mocks his young Montpellier mistress with humor: "Darling Janie - maintenant qu'il fait beau la saison est ouverte et malgré mon age je reçois pas mal des invitations; souvent les filles de dix ans m'envoient des propositions inscrites par télégramme. J'estime que le rôle de papa gâteux me va bien ("le gâtisme c'est le relachment des sphinctères" (Dictionnaire medicale - Pujot)". Je vais en Grèce avec, une, 2, 3, 4 fille(s) plus fidé(?) que vous pour faire des reportages appellation contrôlée. D'avoir soixante ans et d'être aimé (très mal d'ailleurs) par les vampires - n'est pas que c'est splendide ? Dracula" ["Darling Janie - now that the weather is fine the season is open and despite my age I receive quite a few invitations; often ten-year-old girls send me proposals written by telegram. I think the role of a doting daddy suits me well ('dotage is the loosening of the sphincters' (Medical Dictionary - Pujot)). I'm going to Greece with, one, 2, 3, 4 girl(s) more faithful(?) than you to do some appellation contrôlée reporting. To be sixty years old and to be loved (very badly moreover) by vampires - isn't that splendid? Dracula"]
After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large dwelling surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked at the Department of Antiquities at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, particularly to England, from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original artworks signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard from Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in red felt-tip pen, on the reverse of a reproduction of a small poster Mystification conceived by Jacques Yonnet "... Keep your head above water - Prolonged immersion of nose and mouth can cause fatal asphyxia," with attached press clipping "direct with a virile gland...," envelope included.
The writer informs his young Montpellier lover about his upcoming travels: "Buttons. Je ne vous crois pas ! je suis ici pour 15 jours encore - puis Genève pour une semaine" ["Buttons. I don't believe you! I'm here for another 15 days - then Geneva for a week"].
After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to independence from the British Crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his grand residence surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked at the Antiquities department of the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional letters that remain unpublished. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips particularly to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph letter signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in blue felt tip pen.
The writer gives his news to his young French lover: "I'm going to Geneva for 10 days to have my expertise assessed for my psychosome exema [sic] and discuss a script. Am happy because the servants in Provence are getting insolent (see back) ": the last part of the sentence referring to the waved santons on the back of the postcard.

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings which led to the island's independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus ( Acid lemons ), he arrived in 1956 in France and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Maison Tartès", his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Quintette d'Avignon, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London editor Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Pénélope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met there in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), Montpellier of thirty years with ravaging beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities of the Sorbonne in Paris. It was named “Buttons” in memory of their first meeting, where the girl wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell in love with "Buttons", praising his beauty and his eternal youth in exceptional letters that were never published. The three friends spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their correspondence. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, notably to England, from where she received a large correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed by her artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Lawrence Durrell's typed business card addressed to Jani Brun.
The writer gives the address of his London publisher to his young French lover so that he will welcome him on his arrival: "ALAN THOMAS [...] if the tax collector is not sure tell him that Hobury St is going [sic] directly across from the WORLD'S END pub in KING'S ROAD. "

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings which led to the island's independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus ( Acid lemons) , he arrived in 1956 in France and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Maison Tartès", his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Quintette d'Avignon, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London editor Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Pénélope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met there in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), Montpellier of thirty years with ravaging beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities of the Sorbonne in Paris. It was named “Buttons” in memory of their first meeting, where the girl wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell in love with "Buttons", praising his beauty and his eternal youth in exceptional letters that were never published. The three friends spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their correspondence. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, notably to England, from where she received a large correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed by her artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph letter signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in brown felt pen. Central fold inherent in the enveloping of the missive. Envelope attached.
The writer advises his French lover, who was then suffering, to have a second opinion at the American Hospital in Neuilly: "I do not have the slightest confidence [sic] in the therefore diagnoses [sic] of French doctors You really need to have the thing assessed before believing in them. Take your X-rays and visit The American Hospital in Paris [...] if it's serious, well it's serious. If, on the contrary, French mythomaniacs tell you fairy tales ...? "
After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings which led to the island's independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus ( Acid lemons ), he arrived in 1956 in France and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Maison Tartès", his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Quintette d'Avignon, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London editor Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Pénélope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met there in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), Montpellier of thirty years with ravaging beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities of the Sorbonne in Paris. It was named “Buttons” in memory of their first meeting, where the girl wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell in love with "Buttons", praising his beauty and his eternal youth in exceptional letters that were never published. The three friends spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their correspondence. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, notably to England, from where she received a large correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed by her artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard signed addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen on the reverse of a humorous drawing. Envelope included.
The writer gives news of his life in his house in Sommières to his French lover: "Je me force de [sic] travailler un peu - c'est à dire je tripote des livres, des nuages, des femmes, et des calembours [...] Il pleut. Je coupe du bois aussi et bientôt il faut que je ramasse les mûres. Much love, Larry D" ["I force myself to work a little - that is to say I fiddle with books, clouds, women, and puns [...] It's raining. I also chop wood and soon I must pick blackberries. Much love, Larry D"].

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large residence surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department of the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received vast correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Typed visiting card from Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun. Envelope included.

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the writer-traveler Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large dwelling surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a thirty-year-old woman from Montpellier of devastating beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received vast correspondence from the writer as well as original artworks signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph letter signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, two pages written on two sheets. Central folds inherent to the folding of the missive for mailing. Envelope included.
The writer arranges a stay in London for his lover and has asked his publisher Alan G. Thomas to welcome her: "Thomas a déjà réservé une chambre au MONTAGUE HOTEL [...] à côté du British Museum, quartier tranquil [sic] et respectable. Mais vérifiez vos dates et télégraphiez lui en avance pour qu'il refasse l'opération" ["Thomas has already reserved a room at the MONTAGUE HOTEL [...] next to the British Museum, quiet and respectable neighborhood. But verify your dates and telegraph him in advance so he can redo the operation"].

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, particularly to England, from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen on the verso of a black and white view of the interior of the temple of Diana in Nîmes. Envelope included.
The writer gives news of his daughter: "Saph part pour Israel troisième semaine de février" ["Saph leaves for Israel third week of February"] and eagerly awaits the arrival of his lover: "m[ake] great haste" (come quickly).

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, particularly to England, from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Signed autograph postcard from Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in purple felt-tip pen, on the verso of a humorous illustration by Lassalvy.
The writer sends his wishes for the year 1969 to his young French lover, and prepares to follow the filming of the movie adapted from his novel "Justine," first volume of his Alexandria Quartet: "Je vais à Londres samedi pour un mois de 'filmage'. Amuse toi bien mais sagement !" ["I'm going to London Saturday for a month of 'filming'. Have fun but wisely!"]

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the spell of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips particularly to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artistic pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Signed autograph postcard from Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen, on the verso of a photograph topped with the humorous caption "Finies les vacances !! Les blés sont fauchés / Les vacanciers aussi !!" ["The holidays are over!! The wheat is cut / The vacationers too!!"]
The writer attempts to see his young French lover between two trips: "Dear and pretty chapeau jaune. je suis au mazet vendredi mais chez moi le soir. Vendredi je suis seul. phone-moi veux-tu ? si possible ? Car je m'en vais à Paris dimanche soir pour trois jours mais j'attends un coup de téléphone de là bas pour décider" ["Dear and pretty yellow hat. I'm at the mazet Friday but at home in the evening. Friday I'm alone. Will you phone me? if possible? Because I'm going to Paris Sunday evening for three days but I'm waiting for a phone call from there to decide"].



After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the spell of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips particularly to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artistic pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun. A few lines in ink. Envelope included.
The ink has slightly smudged, the envelope having presumably been dampened.
The writer addresses this card from Sommières, his Languedoc retreat, to his lover Janine Brun: "Janine est-ce que vos dates sont fixés [sic] ? Je ne sais pas si je suis de retour de Londres avant le 10 samedi - écris moi pour me dire - Love, Larry" ["Janine are your dates fixed? I don't know if I'll be back from London before Saturday the 10th - write to tell me - Love, Larry"]

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips particularly to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original artworks signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen, on the verso of a view of the banks of the Vidourle at Sommières.
Admirable and humorous confession by the writer to his young lover: "Tout le monde cherche quelqu'un de fidèle tout en restant 'libre' en échange ! Bientôt je serai impuissant et le problème n'existera plus !" ["Everyone is looking for someone faithful while remaining 'free' in return! Soon I will be impotent and the problem will no longer exist!"]. Durrell reflects on his numerous feminine conquests ("Pour l'instant je suis comblé de belles et j'en profite - pourquoi pas !" ["For now I am overwhelmed with beauties and I'm taking advantage of it - why not!"]) and gives precious advice to his addressee, who had chosen to remain independent despite the writer's entreaties: "Tu n'es pas heureuse en amour parce que tu es intéressée - tu cherche [sic] des combines toujours au lieu de te donner sans réserve ni réservation ! C'est quand on deviens [sic] esclave qu'on est vraiment heureux !" ["You are not happy in love because you are self-interested - you are always looking for schemes instead of giving yourself without reserve or reservation! It's when one becomes a slave that one is truly happy!"]


After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveler-writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in 1956 in France and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a thirty-something from Montpellier of devastating beauty, who worked at the Department of Antiquities at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artistic pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in blue felt-tip pen, on the verso of a Nietzsche quotation underlining a humorous image.

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large residence surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received vast correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph postcard signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt pen on the back of a color photograph representing Provençal figurines.
The writer gives his news to his young French lover: "I'm going to Geneva for 10 days to have my expertise assessed for my psychosome exema [sic] and discuss a script. Am happy because the servants in Provence are getting insolent (see back) ": the last part of the sentence referring to the waved santons on the back of the postcard.

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings which led to the island's independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus ( Acid lemons ), he arrived in 1956 in France and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Maison Tartès", his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Quintette d'Avignon, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London editor Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Pénélope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met there in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), Montpellier of thirty years with ravaging beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities of the Sorbonne in Paris. It was named “Buttons” in memory of their first meeting, where the girl wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell in love with "Buttons", praising his beauty and his eternal youth in exceptional letters that were never published. The three friends spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their correspondence. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, notably to England, from where she received a large correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed by her artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Signed autograph postcard addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt pen on the back of a humorous drawing. Envelope attached.
The writer gives news of his life in his house in Sommières to his French lover:

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings which led to the island's independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus ( Acid lemons ), he arrived in 1956 in France and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Maison Tartès", his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Quintette d'Avignon, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London editor Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Pénélope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met there in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), Montpellier of thirty years with ravaging beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities of the Sorbonne in Paris. It was named “Buttons” in memory of their first meeting, where the girl wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell in love with "Buttons", praising his beauty and his eternal youth in exceptional letters that were never published. The three friends spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their correspondence. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, notably to England, from where she received a large correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed by her artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.

Autograph greeting card signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun. The front of the card is illustrated with a reproduction of a pictorial work by Lawrence Durrell, which served as a cover for the album "Songs about Greece" (1964), containing poems by Durrell set to music by Wallace Southam. In the greeting card is a reproduction of the writer's autograph poem "Faustus", as well as his signature in felt.

After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travel writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings which led to the island's independence from the British crown. Rich only in a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus ( Acid lemons) , he arrived in 1956 in France and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Maison Tartès", his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Quintette d'Avignon, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London editor Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Pénélope and Sappho.
Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met there in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), Montpellier of thirty years with ravaging beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities of the Sorbonne in Paris. It was named “Buttons” in memory of their first meeting, where the girl wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell in love with "Buttons", praising his beauty and his eternal youth in exceptional letters that were never published. The three friends spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their correspondence. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, notably to England, from where she received a large correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed by her artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.