"Il aimait se promener avec Aragon qu'il écoutait parler avec admiration..."

Autograph manuscript note by Philippe Soupault, 20 lines in purple ink on a leaf, bearing at the head this inscription: "J.B.," drawing the portrait of Jacques Baron.
The co-author, with André Breton, of the surrealist manifesto "Les champs magnétiques" shares with us all his sympathy for Jacques Baron, one of the most unrecognized figures of surrealism: "Quand je vis Jacques Baron pour la première fois je fus surpris par sa jeunesse... Il aimait sourire. Un grand naturel et une franchise qui plaisait mais inquiétait parfois. Il avait le sens de la camaraderie et je ne l'ai jamais entendu dire du mal de personne." (When I saw Jacques Baron for the first time I was surprised by his youth... He liked to smile. A great naturalness and frankness that pleased but sometimes worried. He had a sense of camaraderie and I never heard him speak ill of anyone.)
Philippe Soupault also seems to appreciate Jacques Baron for his detachment and free spirit unlike certain orthodox surrealists who followed the movement unwaveringly: "Il disparut pendant un certain temps pour devenir marin puis fidèlement retrouva ses amis surréalistes et la poésie." (He disappeared for a certain time to become a sailor then faithfully found his surrealist friends and poetry again.)
Interesting memories from the last living historical surrealist, for once gracious with one of his former companions.