Despite Gutenberg's genius invention, manuscripts will never be erased by the printed word, and solid moveable types are evenly matched by fragile penned letters. Hasty or diligent writing, spidery scrawls or sign of the times.
Autograph note signed by the Aga Khan on a fragment of paper, bearing the words: "I have the honor to be your obdt servant Aga Khan"
Accompanied by a dated and signed certificate of authenticity issued by the distinguished London bookseller and autograph dealer Winifred A. Myers, whose premises were located at 70 Bond Street.
First edition.
A single copy recorded in the CCFr (Roanne).
Contemporary half green calf, smooth spine cracked and with losses, marbled paper boards, original printed wrappers preserved, binding of the period.
Lower board tending to detach.
The Venetian historian Ronaldo Fulin (1824–1884) produced numerous publications and original studies based on the exceptionally rich holdings of the Archivio di Stato of Venice.
The question addressed in this communication is linked to the presumed relations between Columbus and Venice (see the accompanying letters).
Copy from the library of the celebrated Americanist Henry Harrisse (1829–1910), a specialist...
Complete autograph manuscript of 50 pages, written on the recto of each leaf and containing numerous deletions and revisions.
The manuscript was published in the December 1872 issue of the Bulletin de la Société de Géographie.
Full red shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt fleurons and double gilt panels adorned with floral tools, double gilt fillets on the boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt dentelle border on the pastedowns, gilt edges on the boards, corners rubbed, contemporary binding.
The leaves are numbered 1 to 50 in the upper left corner; an earlier numbering, struck through, appears in the upper...
Autograph letter, dated and signed, addressed to the writer Christiane Baroche: 21 lines in blue ink concerning an issue of the journal Sud devoted to him.
Folding traces from mailing, with the original handwritten envelope, on which Christiane Baroche noted the sender’s name in pencil.
Michel Leiris thanks Christiane Baroche for the tribute paid to him by Sud : "Soyez sûre que je préfère de beaucoup quelque chose de ce genre à un ensemble de doctes analyses ! " but explains that he will not be able to attend the upcoming event dedicated to him: "Dites, je vous prie, à Mr Genêt que je lui sais gré d'avoir pensé à...
No publisher, no place, no date [1885–1890]. Quarto (32.5 × 23 cm), 1 blank leaf and 49 unnumbered leaves. Contemporary half red percaline over corners, smooth spine covered in red shagreen, pebble-grain paper-covered boards, blue paper endpapers.
An exceptional collection of 49 original unsigned watercolours, each measuring approximately 20 × 15 cm within the margins, finely executed in Indian ink and watercolour with gouache highlights, mounted on guards. Several leaves bear the watermark "Latune et Cie Blacons", that of a paper mill in the Drôme region active throughout the final third of the nineteenth century. Rubbing to the spine, a few marginal...
Letter written by a secretary and signed by Louis XVI, addressed to Cardinal Ludovico Calini, in ink over eleven lines. The signature of Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes, appearing at the foot of the bifolium, accompanies that of the King for these New Year wishes. The recipient's name is inscribed on the verso: "Mon Cousin le Cardinal Calino".
A few waterstains, a small hole at "qu'il vous ait".
"My Cousin, I have seen with pleasure from your letter of October 1st the token of the sincerity of the wishes you express for me at the beginning of this year. Your good intentions are as well known to me as you must be certain of my desire to give you...
Autograph card, dated and signed, sent from his Paris residence to the writer Christiane Baroche, comprising twelve lines in blue ink.
With the accompanying handwritten envelope on which Christiane Baroche added "Leiris" in the upper right corner.
"5 avril 1979,
chère Christiane Baroche,
merci à vous ainsi qu’à tous ceux qui ont bien voulu m’adresser, par l’intermédiaire de Sud, un signe amical. Je ne puis qu’en être reconforté et trouver là un peu de courage dont je manque de plus en plus pour travailler ! Soyez donc certaine que votre idée m’a fait plaisir et croyez à mes sentiments les meilleurs...
[CONSTANTINOPLE] Exceptional album of 54 original caricatures, some captioned, executed in India ink, pencil and watercolour, together with three small pencil drawings on loose leaves. Undated [circa 1872-1873]. Small oblong folio, 47 pp., 40.5 x 27.9 cm. Contemporary overlapping ivory vellum, smooth spine with red rules, a tear at the head of the spine skilfully restored, red fillet border to the boards, a few stains to the covers, comb-marbled endpapers, red edges.
Autograph manuscript signed of Victor Hugo’s “Ballade du fou,” sung by the jester Elespuru in his play Cromwell (IV, 1). Two pages on a folded leaf backed with green glazed paper.
Exceptional autograph manuscript of Victor Hugo’s most celebrated poetic song, performed by the jester Elespuru in his resounding drama Cromwell.
Both grotesque and exalted, this piece embodies the freedom of Romantic drama championed by Hugo in the play’s famous preface: as noted by the Bibliothèque nationale de France, this song “is the only passage in the play as equally famous as its...
Unpublished, handwritten, signed letter from André Breton addressed to critic Charles Estienne; one page and a few lines in black ink on a paper from the à l'étoile scellée gallery.
Two transverse folds from having been sent, a small corner missing in the upper right margin.
Very beautiful letter giving an account of the death of one of André Breton's dearest friends and of his quarrel with Albert Camus.
Breton tells his friend about the death of the Surrealist Czech artist Jindřich Heisler: “Your letter spoke of those days where it seemed “that there was only just enough fire to live”: on Monday there was far from enough fire, when it reached me: one of my two...
Autograph letter dated and signed by Alexis Léger, 26 lines in blue ink, written from Washington to his friend Emily Amram, describing the torments of his convalescence following a "stupid accident".
Folds inherent to mailing.
The poet thanks his friend for her floral attentions during his illness: "combien la présence de vos fleurs m'a aidé contre les mauvaises ombres pendant mes jours de réclusion !" and, much to his regret, must once again postpone the visit he had promised her: "une mauvaise grippe washingtonnienne, qui m'a surpris, déjà fatigué, peu après mon retour chez moi, achevé de me déprimer, et pour ne pas accabler encore...
Autograph letter signed from Georges Bataille to Denise Rollin, 40 lines in black ink, two pages on one leaf.
George Bataille and Denise Rollin's relationship lasted from the autumn of 1939 to the autumn of 1943 and left behind it a short but passionate correspondence. This letter dates from the early days of their connection, but already reveals Bataille's agonies: “Perhaps I was too happy with you for some months, even though suffering did not wait long to interrupt, at least for a time, a happiness that was almost a challenge.”
A passionate lover, Bataille moved from exultation to the deepest doubt and even offered his lover a potential way out of...
Autograph letter signed "R" by Auguste Renoir, addressed to his friend and great collector of his works Paul Bérard. One and a half pages in black ink on a bifolium.
Horizontal fold mark inherent to mailing.
Autograph letter signed by Auguste Renoir, dated in his hand 5 February 1909. 2 pp. in black ink on a double leaf.
Horizontal mailing fold. Renoir penned this letter at his villa Les Collettes in Cagnes, where he created works of great sensuality and essayed sculpture. The painter orders brushes and refers to an expected visit from the family of Dr Emile Baudot, his physician of long standing and chief medical officer of the Compagnie des chemins de fer de l'Ouest. Renoir's sole pupil was the venerable doctor's daughter, Jeanne Baudot, of whom he painted a portrait and who sat alongside her master for a canvas by...
A remarkable autograph poem of youth by André Breton dedicated to Guillaume Apollinaire entitled «Décembre». 20 verses in ink on vergé d'Arches paper, composed in December 1915. This manuscript was copied between March 1917 and the beginning of 1918.
This poem is presented in a chemise and case with paper boards decorated with abstract motifs, the spine of the chemise in green morocco, pastedowns and endpapers of beige suede, a sheet of flexible plexiglass protecting the poem, case lined with green morocco, piece of green paper with caption «poème autographe» to bottom of upper cover of case, the whole by Thomas Boichot.
Key poem of the author's pre-Dadaist...
Unpublished complete autograph manuscript, dated and signed, written by the Vicomte Edmond de Poncins between 12 September 1891 and 12 June 1892. 775 pages, incorrectly numbered 1-567 and then 567-774. Small folio (21 x 34.5 cm).
Contemporary half dark green shagreen with corners, spine with five raised bands ruled in black and decorated with blind compartments and central gilt floral tools, lettered in gilt "Notes sur l'Inde, 1892". At the beginning of the volume, the author himself gives the slightly different title "Notes sur les Indes". Green boards framed with blind rules, comb-marbled...
Paris, Auxerre and various places, January 1886-August 1887.
A collection of 59 autograph letters signed by Gustave Borgnis-Desbordes and addressed to members of his family, comprising approximately 180 pages, mostly octavo. Most are written on black-bordered mourning paper; several bear the letterhead of the French Ministry of the Navy and Colonies, Inspectorate-General of Artillery.
The letters extend from January 1886 to August 1887. Almost all were written in Paris, a few bear no place, and one was written at Auxerre on 1 July 1886. Forty-seven...
Manuscript of 83 leaves of this French–Bunda dictionary, probably unpublished and unsigned.
This manuscript is certainly the first French–Bunda vocabulary (cf. Gay 3068 and Brunet I-1544).
Half red shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands ruled in black, gilt date at foot, minor rubbing to spine, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary binding.
Autograph letter signed by Charles Baudelaire, addressed to Antoine Arondel, written in black ink on a single sheet of blue paper.
Folds typical of mailing; minor losses expertly restored without affecting the text; a small tear on the signature discreetly repaired. This letter is transcribed in Correspondance I of Baudelaire (Pléiade, p. 277) and dated by Claude Pichois to May 1854.
In it, Baudelaire sends theatre tickets to his art dealer Antoine Arondel — a notorious and unscrupulous character who exploited the poet’s boundless taste for fine arts...
First edition, with no deluxe paper copies issued.
Half aubergine shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands decorated with triple gilt compartments, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges. Contemporary binding.
This collection of poems is followed by essays on Henry Murger by Théophile Gautier, Jules Janin, Arsène Houssaye, and Paul de Saint-Victor.
Our copy is enriched with an autograph note signed by Henry Murger, informing his correspondent that he will visit him soon.
Autograph signed calling card addressed to theatre director Simone Benmussa, 8 lines in black felt-tip, with the original envelope.
"Chère Simone Benmussa, quel succès ! J'en reçois les échos de tous côtés ! Nous vous devons tous cette merveilleuse soirée. Laiseez-moi vous dire encore Merci et Bravo. En toute amitié. R. Badinter."
Literary adviser to the Jean-Louis Barrault – Madeleine Renaud Company and, from 1957, editor-in-chief of the Cahiers Renaud-Barrault, Simone Benmussa also headed, from the Odéon Theatre, the company’s cultural department and its journal. She adapted for the stage several works by her friend Nathalie...
Autograph letter signed by Stéphane Mallarmé to Alidor Delzant; three pages written in black ink on a bifolium. With the original envelope.
Alidor Delzant was a lawyer, collector, and bibliophile. A friend of the Goncourt brothers, he devoted a book to them and served as Edmond’s secretary and executor.
A cordial letter in which the poet offers his condolences to his friend following his father’s death: "Vous m'avez, au hasard de nos rencontres amicales, plusieurs fois parlé de votre père, de façon à ce que je devinasse bon, haut et délicat et que cette tardive mais prompte séparation, à un âge qui donne une illusion chère de continuelle durée, soit, pour...
Autograph postcard signed by Albert Einstein to Ludwig Hopf. 18 lines written verso and recto, address also in Einstein's handwriting. Postmarked June 21, 1910.
Published in The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Volume 5: The Swiss Years: Correspondence, 1902-1914, Princeton University Press, 1993, n°218, p. 242.
An exceptional and highly aesthetic card from Albert Einstein to "the friend of the greatest geniuses of his time" - according to Schrödinger - mathematician and physicist Ludwig Hopf, who introduced Einstein to another 20th-century genius: Carl Jung.
The master invites his pupil Hopf to a dinner...
Almost entirely unpublished handwritten letter from the painter Eugène Delacroix to the love of his youth, the mysterious “Julie”, now identified as being Madame de Pron, by her maiden name Louise du Bois des Cours de La Maisonfort, wife of Louis-Jules Baron Rossignol de Pron and daughter of the Marquis de La Maisonfort, Minister of France in Tuscany, patron of Lamartine and friend of Chateaubriand.
90 lines, 6 pages on two folded leaves. A few deletions and two bibliographical annotations in pencil on the upper part of the first page (“no114”).
This letter is one of the last to his lover in private ownership, all of Delacroix's correspondence to...
Autograph letter signed by George Sand, addressed to her friend Stéphanie Bourjot, daughter of Étienne Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire. Four pages written in blue ink on a folded bifolium bearing George Sand’s monogram. Fold marks as usual.
This letter was partially published in Correspondance, vol. XIV, no. 7846.
A beautiful and partly unpublished letter in which George Sand discusses Marie Pape-Carpantier’s book and the education of her young maid, Marie Caillaud : « It is an excellent book, which I use to teach my young maid to read. She is extraordinarily intelligent, and this book opens her mind to all sorts of...
First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on imperial japon, ours one of 3 hors commerce lettered copies, a deluxe issue following 6 on chine.
Bound in full sienna morocco, flat spine, gilt date at foot, moiré-effect endpapers and pastedowns, gilt fillet border on pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved (spine restored and backed), gilt edges, chemise edged in sienna morocco, slipcase in wood-effect board with white felt lining, contemporary binding signed by Roger Arnoult.
Our copy is enriched with a one-page signed autograph letter by Jean Cocteau, mounted on a guard, written from La Roche-Posay in Vienne, probably addressed to Pierre Benoit, in which he...
First edition, one of 500 numbered copies on pure wove paper.
Bound in full sienna morocco, flat spine with a slight snag at head, date gilt at foot, moiré endpapers and pastedowns, single gilt fillet framing the pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, gilt edges, chemise edged in sienna morocco, slipcase of wood-grained boards lined with white felt, contemporary binding signed by Roger Arnoult.
Our copy is enriched with a signed autograph letter, one page, by Jean Cocteau mounted on a tab, dated April 1959, probably addressed to Pierre Benoit: "Nôtre Pierre fantôme... c'est autour de votre souvenir qu'on se réunit. C'est une chaîne bien étonnante que celle...
Personal diary handwritten by Maurice Béjart, written in a 1969 diary celebrating the centenary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
52 handwritten leaves, written in red and blue pen in a spiral-bound notebook. This diary features amongst Béjart's very rare, privately owned manuscripts, the choreographer's archives being shared between his house in Brussels, the Béjart foundation in Lausanne and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie.
The choreographer Maurice Béjart's diary written during the year 1969. An extremely rare collection of thoughts, questions and introspections from the point of view of Hinduism and Buddhist wisdom, which Béjart adopts following his first trip to...
Autograph manuscript signed by the painter and writer Jacques-Émile Blanche, entitled « Serge de Diaghileff ». Five leaves written in black ink, with numerous corrections in blue. Autograph foliation in black ink, later foliation in blue pencil. Leaf 4, originally in two parts, was joined with a strip of adhesive affixed to the verso.
Crossed-out passages and corrections.
A very fine funeral oration by Jacques-Émile Blanche for his friend Serge Diaghilev, director of the celebrated Ballets Russes.
The painter and writer Jacques-Émile Blanche pays tribute to the genius of Serge Diaghilev, shortly after his death in Venice in 1929. Chosen as...
Black cloth binding. A white star made by Mugler in corrector fluid on the first cover.
Fifteen pages of the notebook filled in by the fashion designer:
- The first page, in neon blue felt-tip pen, with the word "Yes" as and large exclamation mark ending with the iconic Mugler star.
- A double page with the word "white" enhanced with corrector fluid and in capital letters on a black felt-tip background, in orange the words "Indehain" (?) and "TRIBE" with a drawing depicting a sun, several notes in black ballpoint pen: "Aelino Rock-Elektro", "DJ", "Syath Choreographie".
- A double page with a wonderful drawing of a naked Black woman with voluminous pink...
Original black and white photograph showing Pierre Daninos with a slight smile.
A handsome ensemble. We enclose the handwritten envelope in which the photograph was sent.
Inscribed, dated and signed by Pierre Daninos in blue felt-tip pen, addressed to the prominent autograph collector Claude Armand.
Also included is a ten-line autograph letter, dated and signed, in which Pierre Daninos thanks Claude Armand and shares the title of his forthcoming book, the result of his journey around the world: "Les touristocrates".
Three-and-a-quarter-page manuscript written in black ink on a bifolium.
One vertical fold.
Manuscript detailing the nominal roster of the Spanish squadron that set sail under the command of Don Luis de Cordova, Don Antonio de Ulloa, and Don Miguel Gastón.
Album comprising 44 plates of Breton costumes, the first two drawn in pencil, the others delicately watercoloured, mounted on heavy paper, some with captions, unsigned.
Bound in contemporary half green sheep, spine decorated with gilt and black fillets, gilt garlands and fleurons, some rubbing to the spine, embossed cherry-red cloth boards, bumped corners, a few scuffs along the edges.
A handsome album of Breton costumes in the manner of Hippolyte Lalaisse and his Galerie armoricaine of 1848.
Particularly focused on the Breton-speaking departments (Western Morbihan and Finistère): 1. [Seated bagpipe player]. – 2. [Peasant dance]. – 3. Woman from the Auray area...
Unpublished French manuscript translation of the Giurisprudenza marittima-commerciale antica e moderna, Luigi Piantanida's monumental four-volume treatise on maritime and commercial law, published in Milan between 1806 and 1808 and dedicated to Napoleon. The translation was prepared by a certain J. Brunet, whose identity has not been established. Folio (25.5 × 39.3 cm), 680 unnumbered manuscript pages.
Modern period-style binding in half mottled tan calf with vellum corners...
Autograph letter signed by Pierre Loti, addressed to Alphonse Daudet (not named explicitly), inviting him to the premiere of his *Pêcheur d'Islande* at the Grand Théâtre on 18 February 1893; 8 lines in black ink on a bifolium.
"Je voudrais bien vous avoir samedi à la première de 'Pêcheur', avec madame Daudet. Vous ne pouvez pas me refuser cela. J'irai vous chercher. Tendres respects. Pierre Loti."
In collaboration with Louis Tiercelin, Pierre Loti adapted his literary masterpiece and great popular success for the stage.
This note was previously mounted on a guard to be inserted into a book, and was later removed.
Autograph postcard signed by Jacques Derrida, addressed to his friend Jos Joliet from Yale University in Connecticut, 18 lines in blue ink, with the original handwritten envelope enclosed.
The postcard shows a view of Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library.
In 1975, Jacques Derrida was appointed visiting professor at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
Jacques Derrida laments not having had the chance to see his friend while expressing joy at soon returning to France: "Dans quelques jours, je serai rentré (heureux de retrouver les 'proches' mais un peu terrifié à l'idée de ce que je vais devoir affronter autrement..."
Joseph Joliet, a...
Autograph postcard signed and addressed to his friend Ariel Denis from his summer residence in Vendée, 22 lines in black ink.
The postcard shows a general view of the coastal cliffs of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez in Vendée.
Julien Gracq expresses his satisfaction with the advice he had given his friend, while lamenting the petty calculations of administrative life: "j'avais décidément raison de vous recommander une saine stratégie syndicale : faute ce cet appui je crains qu'il n'y ait plus de belle carrière dans l'enseignement ! J'espère tout de même que la stabilité au moins va venir couronner vos efforts (il y en a un de ma part sous le beau style ! malgré...
Autograph letter signed by Jean Cocteau, marked with his famous star, addressed to his great love, the actor Jean Marais. One page penned in black ink on a single sheet.
Traces of folds, horizontal creases inherent to mailing, two ink spots on the blank verso not affecting the text.
A magnificent love letter from Cocteau to Marais, who together formed one of the most iconic artistic couples of the 20th century. Set against the backdrop of turmoil and the German Occupation, their unbreakable bond is embodied in this letter of the writer, filled with desperate tones.
Autograph letter dated and signed by Cécile Sorel, comprising 23 lines in blue ink on a bifolium bearing her monogram as Countess of Ségur by marriage.
Folds consistent with mailing.
The actress thanks her correspondent, a journalist at Théâtre, for his glowing review: "Vous savez combien tout ce qui vient de vous touche le plus sensible de mon coeur, jugez de ma joie en lisant les belles lignes que vous me consacrez."
As a token of her gratitude, she sent him flowers and invited him to visit her soon: "faites-moi la joie de venir déjeuner et causer avec moi de la pièce qui dort dans vos...
Autograph letter signed with his real surname, Fargonne, addressed to his friend Pierre Louÿs, 7 pages written in black ink on two bifolia bearing the letterhead of the Reina Christina Hotel in Algeciras.
Folding marks inherent to mailing, envelope included.
After postponing his reply, Claude Farrère finally decides to write to his friend: "Et plutôt que d'attendre toute ma vie (on ne sait jamais, affirmait la Mirabelle du roi Pausole), je préfère vous dire aujourd'hui que je ne sais rien." He takes the opportunity to evoke a recently deceased mutual friend: "j'ai eu une vraie désolation, en apprenant que la pauvre Nite était morte - je vous jure que...
Fierce autograph letter signed, addressed to Jacques Chardonne—though not named—comprising 30 lines in black ink on letterhead of the journal Le Nouveau Fémina, concerning cultural life and current political affairs.
Folding marks inherent to mailing, a black ink stain not affecting the text, and two small holes: the first causing the loss of one letter—the second "e" in Hecquet; the second resulting in the loss of the word "il".
"Les dernières lettres sont épatantes. Et courtes, comme il fallait pour ne pas trop s'éloigner du drame. Les oeuvres complètes de Léon Blum vont paraître chez Albin Michel. On va voir. Anatole de Monzie, homme...
Autograph letter, dated and signed, sent from Toulon to his friend Pierre Louÿs, four pages penned in violet ink on a bifolium.
Folding crease from mailing, manuscript envelope included.
Through this correspondence, Claude Farrère reproaches his friend for deepening his sadness and distress: "Votre petite lettre de l'autre jour m'a très bien fait comprendre que vous avez dix mille ennuis en ce moment. Et vous en ajoutez un de plus, pour m'envoyer plus vite cette bêtise à laquelle je ne songeais pas du tout , Pourquoi, encore ! Je suis votre ami, enfin ! Et je vous jure que cela m'a fait de la peine, de songer que j'avais involontairement augmenté cette...
Autograph letter signed, addressed to his friend Pierre Louÿs from Toulon, 16 lines written in violet ink, expressing concern about a mutual friend nicknamed Augusto, almost certainly Auguste Gilbert de Voisins.
Folding crease from mailing, envelope enclosed. A handsome copy.
"Friday,
my dear friend, it's mail time. Quickly, quickly! I received your telegram this morning and have replied. Your opening words were very sweet to me. Thank you. I'm forwarding you a letter from Augusto. It frightened me terribly. I’ll telegraph you as soon as I know more. Yours with all my heart. C.B."
Autograph letter signed by Jean-Jacques Henner to his friend Castagnary, 18 lines in black ink on a bifolium.
The letter is almost entirely devoid of punctuation.
A date written in violet ink, likely indicating when the recipient received the letter.
"Mon cher ami,
votre très aimable invitation m'est arrivée malheureusement un peu en retard vous aviez l'adressé place Clichy au lieu de place Pigalle et à mon grand regret je ne suis pas libre j'en suis désolé vous savez tout le plaisir que j'ai a venir chez vous soyez donc mon interprète auprès de madame Castagnary et excusez moi. Votre tout dévoué JJHenner."
Fine autograph letter, dated and signed, addressed to his friend Pierre Louÿs; 7 pages in violet ink on two bifolia, with the original envelope preserved.
Folds from original mailing.
Soon to be on leave from the Moroccan Expeditionary Corps, Claude Farrère announces to his friend his imminent return to France following an Andalusian journey: "je pendrai au plus tardle train du 4 juin, à Algéciras ; lequel train, après escales à Grenade, Cordoue, Séville et Tolède, me déposera, le 11 au matin, à Toulon - Voilà !"
He mentions a book that struck him and evokes two women: "feuilletez, vous comprendrez l'in térêt que j'attache au cas, intérêt tout à...
Original black and white photograph depicting Maurice Druon in his Académie Française regalia.
A fine copy. Enclosed is the handwritten envelope addressed to the recipient by Maurice Druon.
Inscribed and signed by Maurice Druon in blue ink in the right margin of the photograph: "Avec mes meilleurs souhaits Druon."
Provenance: from the collection of the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.
Card bearing the letterhead of the permanent secretariat of the Académie française, on which Maurice Genevoix has inscribed the following words:
"Pour Claude Armand, avec mes voeux et mes amitiés. Maurice Genevoix."
Maurice Genevoix served as Permanent Secretary of the Académie française from October 1958 to January 1974.
A handsome example. Accompanied by an envelope, typed and bearing the letterhead of the Institut de France.
Provenance: from the collection of the distinguished autograph collector Claude Armand.
Exceptional illuminated manuscript of 35 poems by Stéphane Mallarmé, probably copied by Joris-Karl Huysmans on watermarked Hollande laid paper, after pre-first editions of the poems published in journals. Most of the poems are preceded by a separate title-page noting the source from which it is taken.
The manuscript includes a fine charcoal portrait of Mallarmé as a frontispiece by Charles Tichon, after a photographic portrait by Van Bosch. The portrait was published in the Mallarmé issue of Empreintes...
Autograph letter dated and signed by André Breton, 21 lines in blue ink on a single sheet, addressed to Georges Isarlo of the journal Combat-Art concerning a text given to him by his friend José Pierre.
True to form, the leading figure and high priest of Surrealism seeks to clarify matters with his correspondent: "Vous comprendrez sûrement le souci que je puis avoir de ne pas, sous un vain prétexte d'anniversaire, laisser dénaturer le sens et gâter le fruit de quarante années de lutte et voudrez bien considérer qu'il a pour tous ses signataires - répondants du surréalisme aujourd'hui - la même importance vitale que pour moi."
