"...Enfin cela est un gros poids d'enlevé pour toi. Tu te retrouveras chez toi dans un décor que tu as aimé"

Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques Mesrine, dated Tuesday, September 21, 1976, 68 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his lover at the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript ofInstinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
A horizontal fold inherent to the envelope placement, a small tear in the right margin of the letter at the fold level.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison, arranged with his mother for her to cede, upon her departure from the Paris region, her Clichy apartment to Jeanne Schneider after his possible provisional release: "J'ai eu un très agréable parloir avec maman. J'ai au moins une bonne nouvelle à t'annoncer. Pour Clichy c'est d'accord... Comme elle va vivre presque tout le temps à la montagne tu auras l'appartement pour toi. Je paierai le loyer. Elle a tout de suite dit d'accord après mon explication... [...] Je me doute de ta joie, de savoir que tu pourras vivre à Clichy - si près de notre papy... toujours présent de par l'amour que nous avons pour lui. Je suis certain que cette petite nouvelle te remonte le moral." (I had a very pleasant visit with mama. I have at least one good piece of news to tell you. For Clichy it's agreed... Since she's going to live almost all the time in the mountains you'll have the apartment to yourself. I'll pay the rent. She immediately said yes after my explanation... [...] I can imagine your joy, knowing that you'll be able to live in Clichy - so close to our grandpa... always present through the love we have for him. I'm certain this little news will lift your spirits.)
His daughter Sabrina worries him and he senses that he will have to be severe regarding her behavioral lapses: "De Sabrina rien ! Il y a une chance pour qu'actuellement elle me prépare un "douze" je ne peux t'en parler sur lettre... mais j'ai l'impression que la puce me ment sur certaines choses... elle prend peut-être une route où il va me falloir la plus grande fermeté. J'ai demandé à maman de vérifier si elle va bien à l'école." (Nothing from Sabrina! There's a chance that currently she's preparing a "twelve" for me, I can't talk about it in a letter... but I have the impression that the kid is lying to me about certain things... she's perhaps taking a path where I'll need the greatest firmness. I asked mama to check if she's doing well in school.)
News of his "godson," the famous robber Jean-Charles Willoquet, with whom he organized his escape from La Santé prison where they had met, makes him prouder: "J'ai reçu la photo du plus jeune détenu de France à savoir mon filleul "Willy Willoquet" dans sa cour de promenade. c'est émouvant et triste à la fois !" (I received the photo of the youngest prisoner in France, namely my godson "Willy Willoquet" in his exercise yard. It's moving and sad at the same time!)
The situation of his young protégé cut off from all contact with his loved ones and the people who love him reminds him of his own personal situation and the indignities of a prisoner's isolated existence: "Je me demande comment va réagir Martine quand on va lui enlever ? Enfin c'est le destin qu'elle a choisi et accepté. Elle paie cher le prix de l'amour... Vous le payez toutes "très cher"..." (I wonder how Martine will react when they take him away from her? Well, it's the destiny she chose and accepted. She pays dearly the price of love... You all pay it "very dearly"...)
In order to quickly erase this morose and implacable truth, Jacques Mesrine plunges into schoolboy humor and affectionately mocks his lover's physical flaws: "J'espère que la bonne nouvelle va te rendre ton sourire. eh ! la mémé... boutons sur la gueule... ou pas ! Je t'adore... il ne fallait pas flirter avec "voyou" ! C'est lui qui t'as passé cela (sic) nanou d'amour, ton viejo pirate monte à l'abordage de tes lèvres.. et... !! tu coules ! " (I hope the good news will bring back your smile. hey! granny... pimples on your face... or not! I adore you... you shouldn't have flirted with "rogue"! He's the one who gave you that, nanou of love, your old pirate boards your lips... and...!! you're sinking!)
A rare and very beautiful letter from Jacques Mesrine in which he displays all the intense affection he bears for his companion and the strong feelings with which he surrounds the people he loves.