Gift Ideas – Manuscripts & Letters

Autograph letter dated and signed by Charles de Gaulle, addressed to his cook Augustine Bastide, who served him from 1940 to 1958. 21 lines in black ink on his headed paper.

Fold mark inherent to postal folding, minor tears of no consequence at the left and right margins of the central fold.

General de Gaulle thanks her : "I was very touched by the birthday wishes you thought to send me...". He shares the same considerations as his correspondent concerning the role that France must embody on the political level : "You know that, on this matter, my feelings are yours and that, despite the powerlessness and baseness of the present, I do not des

Autograph letter dated and signed by Emile Zola, addressed to his friend the physician Maurice de Fleury, dated in his hand October 15, 1893. 1 page 1/4, 19 lines in black ink on a double sheet. Horinzontal and vertical folds due to mailing. Stain on verso, not affecting the text.

A most unusual invitation from the master of Naturalism, who wishes to organize a luncheon with two eminent specialists in nervous diseases: "Vous êtes bien aimable de m'inviter à déjeuner. Mais cela va vous faire perdre du temps et à moi aussi [...] pourquoi ne prendriez-vous pas un rendez-vous pour deux heures et demie par exemple, avec M. Gille de la Tourette, soit jeudi, soit

Manuscript note by Philippe Soupault, 22 lines in mauve ink on a sheet, headed with this inscription: "Les séances", devoted to the famous "sleep" sessions conducted in André Breton's studio consisting of oneiric writings or texts dictated by a dreamer.
The manuscript notes contain three deletions and corrections.
Philippe Soupault considers his attempts questionable and even labels them as imposture, distancing himself from any active participation in these practices: "Neither Aragon nor I participated actively in the experiments called sleep sessions, while Breton accepted with great interest Crevel's suggestion to engage in experiments he had discovered among fri

First edition of the French translation by A. J. B. Defauconpret. Illustrated vi­gnette on the title page of each volume, with two illustrations in each volume (60 in total) by Louis Marckl after Noël Bertrand.
Green half shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands elaborately framed in gilt and blind, spine-ends stamped with a gilt rosette bearing cabbalistic signs, marbled paper boards, marbled endpa­pers and pastedowns, speckled edges, contemporary bindings.
Spines slightly lightened, some corners slightly dulled, more pronounced foxing on some volumes, a tear not affecting text to pp. 303-304 of vol. 2, a restored tear and a marginal lack of paper not af­fecting text to pp. 2

Original autograph letter by the Marquis de Sade, consists of 27 lines of relatively tight handwriting. Most likely written to his wife, as evidenced by the letter's origin from Sade's family. The letter is physically composed of two glued pieces of paper. On the verso the Marquis wrote 19 lines and scrupulously crossed them out - a few words and letters are still quite visible.
Cited in Maurice Lever's biography, 'Donatien Alphonse François, marquis de Sade', Paris, Fayard, 1991, p. 631.

Autograph card signed, dated 7 September 1984, 20 lines in blue ballpoint pen, addressed to her friend, the writer Christiane Baroche, in which she congratulates her on her latest work "Plaisirs amers" which she "devoured" and enjoyed. Annie Ernaux humorously refers to her property plans linked to the sale of her book "La Place".

"Ma chère Christiane,

j'ai reçu "Plaisirs amers" le 6, l'ai lu le soir d'une traite (comme tu sais bien parler de l'amour, c'est merveilleux ! Et de la vieillesse... Un  seul regret : que ces deux-là n'aient pas fait l'amour ensemble, enfin, tu ne dis rien ! ). Le 7, jai voulu t'appeler, la belle avait quitté le nid, je supp

Autograph card signed, dated 25 April 1987, 17 lines in black ballpoint pen, addressed to her friend, the woman of letters Christiane Baroche, in which she lavishes praise on her latest work entitled "L'hiver de beauté".

With the original envelope.

"Ma chère Christiane,

après tout, je me console : celui qui a fauché "L'Hiver de Beauté" a eu du nez, il a passé de bons moments, avec ta superbe Isabelle, ta non moins acide et volontaire Queria. Tu as réussi un très beau livre dans une langue que je trouve de plus en plus rigoureuse, la construction est remarquable et "fluent" comme on dit en anglais, c'est très naturellement qu'on passe de l'une

Autograph signed postcard, 12 lines in black ballpoint pen, addressed to her friend, the woman of letters Christiane Baroche, in which she expresses her complete intellectual affinity with her.

The recto of the postcard features a reproduction of the painting "Trompe l'oeil" by Cornelis Gysbrechts.

"Ma chère Christiane,

merci ! Ce petit prix a surtout le mérite de grossir ma cagnotte pour la maison de mes rêves, enfin, un peu : 5000 F. Mais je suis très contente. Je voulais te dire depuis les vacances de Pâques combien j'avais eu le plaisir à écouter ta voix fraternelle dans ton recueil de "Rimes intérieures". J'aime ce que tu aimes, je m'interro

Original albumen print photograph of Charles de Gaulle, wearing the Cross of Lorraine and the insignia of the Free French Forces, likely taken shortly after the Liberation. Studio stamp of Harcourt Paris within the photograph, under mat and light wood frame, with some minor damage to the frame. 

Signed and inscribed by Charles de Gaulle below the portrait: "A M. Jules Guichet / Bien amicalement ! / 19.2.58 / C. de Gaulle". 

Complete anonymous manuscript of 23 pages (plus title page and table), from the first half of the 19th century, entitled: Cap de Bonne Espérance. 1er cahier.

Our manuscript is presented in a navy blue half shagreen folder, marbled paper boards, housed in a slipcase edged with navy blue shagreen, marbled paper boards.

An account of a stopover at the Cape, a city under British rule, which, according to the anonymous author, retains many traces of its Dutch past.

Description of the town, its geographical setting, its buildings, churches and houses, whose cleanliness contrasts with the dirt and the smell of meat prevailing in most of the streets.

This

Press clipping comprising a photograph of Joséphine Baker in stage costume, signed and dated by her in black felt-tip.

A fine example.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Contemporary Bradel binding in red half morocco with corners, smooth spine, date gilt at foot, covers of marbled paper framed with blind fillets, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt; an attractive period binding signed Bernasconi.

Occasional foxing, chiefly affecting the opening leaves.

Signed autograph inscription from Claude Farrère to M. Briquet.

Facing the limitation page, this copy is enriched with an original watercolour signed by Henri Leclerc depicting the heroine of the work leaning against a ship’s bulwark, her suitor standing slightly behind.

Autograph letter signed and dated September 26, 1955, by Georges Simenon, addressed from Cannes to André David.

18 lines in black ink on one leaf bearing his American address in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Mailing fold as usual.

Georges Simenon apologizes for his delayed response: "mais j'étais en plein roman. Parbleu ! si je me souviens de vous !" and indicates his upcoming availability to his correspondent, even specifying his future address in Cannes. He authorizes André David's project to adapt his novel "Maigret et la Grande Perche" for the screen, while setting his terms: "vous pouvez travailler sur La Grande Perche mais, bien entendu, mon acceptation ne peu

Autograph letter signed by Thomas Mann, in French and on the headed paper of the Hôtel Regina, 2 place des Pyramides, Paris, addressed to the journalist (Claude Morgan).

10 lines in blue ink on a single leaf, a stain affecting the "14" of 14 May 1951, creases consistent with having been folded for mailing.

"14 Mai 1951

Cher monsieur,

ayant prolongé mon séjour à Paris d'un jour, je vous donnerais avec plaisir une courte interview ce soir à six heures trente. Avec l'expression de mes meilleurs sentiments. Thomas Mann."

Illustrated edition with a frontispiece and 19 black vignette illustrations in the text by Marianne Clouzot, one of 675 numbered copies printed on vélin de lana.

Full caramel box binding, smooth spine, the illustrator’s name gilt at the foot, moiré-effect paper endleaves and doublures, cold-ruled fillet frames to the doublures, original covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, slipcase with inner flaps in caramel box with bands, moiré-effect paper sides, the slipcase edged in caramel box with moiré-effect paper panels; binding slightly later, signed Gavallet.

Like the 50 numbered copies printed on Arches paper, our copy exceptionally includes, at the end of the volume, a bla

Manuscript of 4 pages, in black ink on a double sheet, signed Perès and Grasset frères, Pitteu & Cie. Saint-Marc, 30 June 1785, entitled Compte de dépense & de recette pour l’habitation de Monsieur le Vte de La Bourdonnaye.

and [On the verso:] Etat des naissances de Nègres et mortalités & crues et déficits d’animaux [and] Etat des revenus fabriqués sur l’habitation de Monsieur le Vte de La Bourdonnaye. *

The vicomte de La Bourdonnaye’s habitation was a sugar plantation located at Les Verrettes, in the vicinity of Saint-Marc.

Presented on a double sheet, this account of expenditures and receipts covers the period from 1 January to 30 June 178

Eighteenth-century manuscript (second half), comprising 258 foliated pages.

Contemporary binding, expertly restored in full tan calf, with a smooth spine adorned with gilt compartments and decorative gilt tooling, some now faded; signs of rubbing; title label missing; gilt rampant lion at the centre of both boards; handmade paper endpapers and pastedowns; gilt double fillets on board edges; corners slightly worn.

Notable manuscript featuring extracts and summaries of orders and dispatches issued by the Ministry of the Navy during the Regency and the first year of Louis XV’s reign.

Collated from original documents, carefully dated and with folio references, these extr

Unpublished manuscript comprising a collection of 17 captioned watercolours.

The work announced on the title page, "Vues et types du Sénégal", was never published, and the watercolours presented here were most likely intended to illustrate it.

The author of these watercolours is named at the foot of the table of plates: « A. Poquet (Del.) 1873 »., this illustrator is not recorded in either Bénézit or Bellier de La Chavignerie.

Modern half red shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands gilt ruled, marbled paper boards.

A restored tear to the right margin of the final watercolour.

The volume consists of a calligraphed title leaf,

Autograph letter dated and signed by Roger Martin du Gard, written from his estate in Bellême, Normandy, to his interior architect; 24 lines in black ink and pencil.

Roger Martin du Gard expresses growing impatience over the sale of a property: "Il faudra remuer ciel et enfer, pour aboutir !"

He outlines his plans for the renovation of the dining room and offers a few remarks: "mais ce n'est pas encore au point dans ma caboche..."

Hence the original pencil and red crayon sketch on the verso, illustrating his vision for the proposed alterations to the dining room.

Autograph note signed, addressed to his friend and publisher Felia Léal concerning the completion of their joint project: the forthcoming publication of the book "Les paroles transparentes" illustrated by Georges Braque.

Seventeen lines in black ink on two small leaves.

A handsome ensemble, with a paperclip mark to the upper left corner of both leaves.

"Wednesday,

Dear Felia, here is the letter. Are *Les Paroles* still coming out on June tenth? Very impatient. (When I think of it, I am amazed by your patience, your tenacity, your gentle forcefulness. Good evening, dear dangerous one. Affectionately, Jean. (To be honest, G. showed a litt

Bristol bearing the letterhead of the Presidency of the Republic of Tunisia.

Name and printed designation on the card.

A fine example.

Manuscript signature of Habib Bourguiba in green ink.

Provenance: from the collection of the distinguished autograph collector Claude Armand.

Autograph letter dated 3 June 1941, signed and addressed to Frédéric Lefèvre, comprising 40 lines in blue ink on two pages of a bifolium, written from Lyon.

Folds from original mailing, envelope present.

During these troubled times, Frédéric Lefèvre was difficult to reach for his friend Francis Carco: "J'ai appris par Raymond Millet - qui me donne ton adresse - que tu es à Vichy ! On m'avait dit que tu étais retourné à Paris... [...] c'est pour cette raison que je ne t'ai pas envoyé mon dernier livre mais je dois recevoir des exemplaires prochainement et le premier sera pour toi."

Francis Carco discusses hi

Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques de Lacretelle, 14 lines in blue ink on letterhead of the Académie française, addressed to the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.

Folds from mailing. Original handwritten envelope included.

Jacques de Lacretelle reflects on his love of books: "Je dois tout aux livres et au goût de l'analyse que j'en ai retiré."

Photographic postcard depicting Lionel Hampton in the 1960s–70s playing the vibraphone.

A handsome copy.

Signed by Lionel Hampton in blue felt-tip pen on the verso of the photograph.

Provenance: from the collection of the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Original black and white photograph, issued in a limited edition of 50 numbered prints, depicting Andrian Grigorievitch Nikolaïev during his visit to Switzerland in July 1971.

A fine copy. Printed stamps on the verso identifying the cosmonaut, the date of his visit to Switzerland, the numbering of the print (10/50), and the name of the "Boutique russe" in Geneva.

Boldly signed by Andrian Grigorievitch Nikolaïev in blue felt-tip pen in the lower left corner of the print.

Andrian Grigorievitch Nikolaïev was part of the very first group of Soviet cosmonauts selected in

Autograph letter dated and signed by Ginger Rogers, addressed to the renowned Swiss collector Claude Armand, 20 lines penned in blue felt-tip from New York,

Folding marks from mailing, with a light paperclip impression to the upper left corner of the letter; original envelope included.

The celebrated American actress and dancer expresses her gratitude to her admirer for his previous letter, in which he requested a signed photograph that she is unfortunately unable to send, being away from her home in Eagle Point, Oregon, and currently in New York: "Your most gracious letter is in my hands and i cannot tell you how delighted its make

Autograph letter dated and signed addressed to Thierry Maulnier who is not named (25 lines in black ink on one leaf).
Central folds inherent to postal folding.

Patrice de La Tour Du Pin thanks Thierry Maulnier and shows himself delighted to be soon published by la Table ronde even though he requires certain conditions: "... mais vraiment pour l'édition que vous me proposez si amicalement, je ne peux accepter malgré mon désir : il m'est impossible de faire paraître en même temps plus de quatre volumes de luxe ou de demi-luxe. Déjà Gallimard trouve que c'est un peu gros ! ..." ("...but truly for the edition that you propose so kindly, I cannot accept despite my desire:

Autograph letter dated and signed, one page by Jean-Louis Barrault addressed to Thierry Maulnier (34 lines in blue ink on a recto verso sheet)

Central folds inherent to the mailing, some foxing spots on the letter.

Jean-Louis Barrault, returning from a tour in South America, hastens to respond to Thierry Maulnier in order to consider a radio adaptation and possibly theatrical adaptation of his text Une ville sous la mer: "I do not know if this purity would remain in a theatrical realization, but this confirms to me that you must absolutely give us the opportunity as soon as possible to serve you directly on the theatrical plane."

Autograph letter signed and dated, one page, from Maurice Blanchot addressed to the theater actress Marcelle Tassencourt, wife of Thierry Maulnier, 18 lines in black ink.
Central folds inherent to postal handling, envelope included.

Maurice Blanchot praises the acting performance of Marcelle Tassencourt who created, in 1944, the role of Antigone in Robert Garnier's play directed by her husband, Thierry Maulnier:  "... cette Antigone m'a beaucoup touché. Je ne croyais pas que la beauté des vers y fût capable d'une actrice aussi vivante. Que la vie et le style peuvent être à ce point associés, que l'harmonie engendrât l'horreur, et la beauté le déchirement, c'est que j

Printed calling card on which André Malraux added, in blue ballpoint pen, these few words for his friends Minka and Karl Hans Strauss:
"I am touched, dear friends, by the affectionate part you take in my grief... And what else is there to say?..."





 

Autograph letter signed by the dandy count, 46 lines written in black ink recto-verso, on Hotel de France de Pau letterhead, addressed to a poet friend.
Fold marks inherent to postal handling.
The poet expresses surprise at his friend's reproaches: "Pourquoi parlez-vous du mal que je pourrais vous faire ?... Alors il faudrait bien essayer, pour ne pas vous désobéir mais il me semble que je m'y mettrai sans conviction." (Why do you speak of the harm I could do to you?... Then I would have to try, so as not to disobey you, but it seems to me I would do so without conviction.) and leans rather toward a misunderstanding of his words: "Est-ce donc ainsi que vous