When the dedicatee is prestigious, when the inscription itself is part of the writer's history or sheds new light on the work... an exceptional autograph bears witness to a major event: the work's encounter with History.
First edition, one of the numbered copies on vellum, the only printing.
Publisher's binding executed after the original design by Paul Bonet.
Rich iconography.
Handsome copy complete with its illustrated dust jacket.
Precious autograph inscription signed by André Malraux: "Pour Georges Bataille André Malraux."
First edition on ordinary paper, bearing the correct imprint dated 6 May 1959, with the false statement of second edition.
Spine very slightly sunned.
Signed and inscribed by Eugène Ionesco to the stage director, playwright, and writer Simone Benmussa on the half-title.
First edition on ordinary paper, with the false statement of “third edition,” complete with the errata bifolium.
Discreet repairs to the spine; a handsome copy as issued.
With a desirable signed presentation from Marcel Proust to the playwright Jacques Darval: “à Monsieur Jacques Darval / Hommage reconnaissant / Marcel Proust.” ["To Monsieur Jacques Darval / With grateful homage / Marcel Proust.”]
Darval, born Louis Valeton, authored several plays and numerous dance revues during the 1920s.
First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Autograph inscription signed by Henri Charrière to journalist and historian Gilbert Guilleminault.
Henri Charrière, known as Papillon, ward of the state and petty criminal, had been sentenced to the penal colony in 1931 for a murder he always denied. More than thirty years later, he recounts his terrible experience in this autobiographical text. He describes the violence, injustice, diseases and escape attempts, crowned by years of exile in South America: « Pure of all contact, his publisher noted, and of all literary ambition, what he writes is "as he tells it to you", you see it, you feel it, you live it [...]. » The book met with immense success before being adapted for cinema with Steve McQueen in the leading role.
"1st July Tilsit
I have just received, my dear Aimée, your letters from the 19th and 20th of June. It feels as though I am by your side, experiencing all the anxieties that have tormented me in similar situations. My eagerness to learn of the event is extreme. The courage you display as it approaches truly reassures me and dispels the deep worries I could not shake off some time ago.
[...]
You must, my dear Aimée, focus on taking good care of your health so that when I arrive in Paris, I find you fully recovered from your confinement, and we can enjoy Savigny together for the rest of the beautiful season. For the affairs here are taking such a turn that I can hope to embrace you within two months at the latest. [...]
It seems to me, my dear friend, that I have never given you cause for such fears, but enough on this matter.
Let us speak a little of our Joséphine. She shows an intelligence far superior to her age, for which I am grateful for all her kindness and the good humor she shows you.
I send her, for this reason, endless affection. A thousand tender thoughts to our dear mother. Reassure her about the health of Desessart, Beaupré, and all that concerns her, and remind me to the memory of my sister-in-law; announce to her that her brave and esteemed husband enjoys perfect health.
Farewell, my dear Aimée, receive the embraces of your loving and faithful husband. L. Davout"
Autograph letter signed by Marshal Davout to his wife, Aimée Leclerc. Two and a half pages in black ink on a double sheet. Fold marks inherent to mailing.
Very likely unpublished letter ("the intimate correspondence of Marshal Davout ceases from August to November [1807]" incorrectly states the Marquise de Blocqueville in Le Maréchal Davout, prince d'Eckmühl, raconté par les siens et par lui-même) addressed to his beloved wife, sister-in-law of Pauline Bonaparte. Settled in his palace halfway between Warsaw and Łódź, Davout, now Governor General of the Duchy of Warsaw, longs for his wife and their property in Savigny-sur-Orge: "but although this place is one of the most beautiful in the country, it is a hundred thousand leagues from Savigny." He especially urges the marshal's wife to appear at court and remain close to the Emperor; she was notably in charge of requesting her husband's leave permissions from Napoleon himself. Davout could hardly escape from Poland ("If I could foresee the date of my definitive return") to deal, among other things, with the marital affairs of his cousin Hélène Davout: "I would ask you, if our cousin is not greatly attached to her future husband, to convince her that in the next six months we will find a more advantageous match for her, but events may occur that do not allow for leave.") This latter will eventually marry General François-Louis Coutard in Warsaw in 1808.
Very visual letter bearing a beautiful signature of Marshal Davout.
Autograph letter signed by Marshal Davout, then Governor General of Poland, addressed to his wife Aimée Leclerc, sister-in-law of Pauline Bonaparte. Three pages in black ink on a double sheet, with his autograph address on the verso, as well as the stamp of the Grande Armée, and a broken wax seal, armorial with the cipher "LD" on grand mantle and Marshal's batons under crown.
Tears from opening affecting two words on the third page.
After Davout's brilliant personal victory at Auerstedt, the battles of Jena, Eylau and Friedland which ended the war against the fourth coalition, Davout reaps the fruits of his success. Covered with honors and benefits by the Emperor, he enjoys his vast lands as the new Governor General of Poland.
Autograph letter signed by Marshal Davout to his wife, Aimée Leclerc, sister-in-law of Pauline Bonaparte. 1 page in black ink on a bifolium, with his handwritten address on the verso, postal stamp dated 23 January 1807, and broken wax seal bearing the marshal’s arms with batons, tassels, and oak leaves, inscribed "Le maréchal Davout Empire français" on the address panel, which was opened without affecting the text.
A battlefield letter written from Pultusk, where on 26 and 27 December 1806 the Russian forces under General Bennigsen were defeated by Marshal Lannes, with the support of Gudin’s division, which included a detachment from Marshal Davout’s corps. According to the memoirs of Commander Jakub Kierkowski, "ce fut un vrai jour du jugement dernier [...] il pleuvait et il neigeait, un vent glacial soufflait. Les chevaux de notre cavalerie avaient la boue jusqu'au ventre c'est pourquoi elle ne put rien entreprendre. L'infanterie russe chargea deux fois à la baïonnette, mais elle fut refoulée avec des pertes sévères. Presque personne ne tenait plus à sa vie car le gel prenait les gens mouillés, donc tous furent transis [...] il fut impossible de fléchir les bras car la glace craquait sur le corps, le froid et avec ça la faim, mieux vaut la mort qu'une telle vie."
A vivid letter bearing Marshal Davout’s elegant signature.
"Hier ma petite Aimée je t'ai donné de mes nouvelles. J'ai oublié de te parler de celles de nos parents. Leur santé est aussi bonne que la mienne. Sous peu de jours, je pense t'annoncer que Sa majesté leur a donné de nouvelles marques de sa bienveillance. [Marc-Antoine Bonin de la Boninière de] Beaumont est toujours à Varsovie avec la goutte. D'abord il y a longtemps que je n'ai eu de vos nouvelles j'ai chargé Laforêt porteur de cette lettre [...] il doit ainsi me rapporter tes lettres puisqu'il y en aura.
Adieu ma petite Aimée, [...] mille caresses pour notre Joséphine et mille baisers à sa belle et vaillante Maman. Ton amoureux [...] L. Davout"
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Chardonne addressed to his friend Roger Nimier (54 lines in blue ink) regarding Paul Morand's style, spiritual father of the Hussards, Roger Nimier and Antoine Blondin being considered, much against their will, as leaders of this literary movement.
Fold marks inherent to the letter's mailing, envelope included.
Jacques Chardonne intends to challenge two false ideas concerning Paul Morand, the first being stylistic in nature: "There is a double misunderstanding regarding Morand. He has been seen as a 'modern'... but he is essentially a 'naturalist'; his artistic doctrine is exactly that of Maupassant and Flaubert." holding the latter as a major writer: "But he has infinitely more talent and intelligence than the writers of the naturalist school." ; the second of a psychological nature: "He is hygiene and wisdom incarnate, in his person. But through his work he has debased the youth who came after him. It is he who nearly killed Sagan."
Jacques Chardonne then ironizes about Françoise Sagan's talents while exalting the predominance and mastery of his friend Paul Morand in everything he undertakes: "It is Morand who bought Sagan's terrible cars. But he knows how to drive." while recalling the cautious advice that Bernard Frank gave to the author of Bonjour tristesse : "Bernard Frank says: your car doesn't hold the road... Sagan, vexed, accelerates. And everything capsizes."
As a literary elder brother, Jacques Chardonne reassures Roger Nimier about his own talent: "Morand is very pleased with you. I say that Gaston (Gallimard) seems to have much friendship for you." and congratulates his correspondent on the quality of Artaban, a review to which Roger Nimier contributes, Jacques Chardonne being honored in a recent issue: "... surprised to see myself on the front page; the text fills me with pride. I have scorned honors, in order to be honored. I could not have been better served than in this little text." and attributes the authorship of the text concerning him to one of his Hussard disciples: "... I tell myself: it's Nimier, or Hecquet, or Milliau. Truth be told, I don't know. And I thank the Lord."
Overwhelmed by so many tributes paid to him, Jacques Chardonne, lucid, prefers to avoid being too much in the spotlight: "That is why I no longer want to publish anything. As soon as one applauds you, you must leave."
Very handsome letter from Jacques Chardonne praising his friend Paul Morand, spiritual father of the Hussards, and evoking Françoise Sagan's terrible car accident in an Aston Martin on April 13, 1957. A premonitory evocation: Roger Nimier would kill himself five years later on the western highway, on September 28, 1962, also at the wheel of an Aston Martin.
First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Iconography at rear.
Precious autograph inscription signed by André Malraux to the diplomat and great resistance fighter, faithful among the faithful of General De Gaulle, Gaston Palewski to whom this work is dedicated below the printed dedication: "C'est pour vous distraire. Vous recevrez vos exemplaires convenables la semaine prochaine" ["This is to entertain you. You will receive your proper copies next week"].
