TESSIER SARROU
1
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ACHARD, Marcel: A collection of 29 handwritten letters and 7…
See original version (French)
1
-
ACHARD, Marcel: A collection of 29 handwritten letters and 7…
See original version (French)
Estimate €700 - €1,000
Voluntary lot
Description
ACHARD, Marcel: A collection of 29 handwritten letters and 7 typewritten letters addressed to André BERNHEIM. He discusses their joint projects (plays and films), the management of his copyright, their conflicts and temporary falling-outs, foreign rights, and conversations in this context with foreign actors and screenwriters. The collection is supplemented by a one-page handwritten text in 8vo format with crossings-out and a copy of his play *Le faux témoin*.
Born in 1899 and died in 1986, André BERNHEIM was the pioneer of the profession of impresario in France. He himself preferred to use the term ‘artists’ agent’, as he did not like the term ‘impresario’. Having begun his career in the theatre world, in 1935, at the age of 36, he set up his agency with his first four clients: DALIO, JEANSON, ACHARD and KESSEL.
He and KESSEL would become lifelong friends; some even said they were like Siamese twins.
Leaving France in June 1940, he was one of the first to join de GAULLE as a member of his first cabinet and as a press officer.
Joined by KESSEL, they set off for New York and then Algiers, where they joined the Sussex Squadron attached to the Intelligence Service to carry out numerous aerial sorties to observe enemy territory and provide intelligence to the British forces, French forces and the Resistance.
After the war, whilst remaining very close to Kessel, he became the most famous artists’ agent of the 1960s and 1970s. The biggest stars of the era were under contract with him, from KESSEL to VENTURA, from BLIER to AUDIARD, from FRESNAY to BRIALY, from CARMET to VERNEUIL, from AZNAVOUR to GABIN (he met Gabin through Marlène DIETRICH, who had suggested he take Bernheim on as his manager). And whilst running the world of cinema and theatre from his offices at 55 Avenue George-V, he remained, for many years, the Director of the Théâtre de la Madeleine.
More than just an agent, André Bernheim became a friend to all, and it is, above all, this aspect that shines through in this incredible collection which we have the honour of presenting today. There is no doubt that it will delight collectors and other bibliophiles with a passion for cinema, literature, theatre and history.
***
As for Louis-Ferdinand CELINE, does he really need any introduction? Undoubtedly one of the greatest writers of 20th-century literature, having revolutionised the art of writing, he will remain in the collective memory for his works (Journey to the End of the Night, Death on Credit, From One Castle to Another), for his romantic escapades and for his involvement in the turbulent and terrible events of the Second World War. The manuscripts and documents we are presenting today are undoubtedly the very last to appear on the public market, and the works on display are extremely rare and of the highest calibre for bibliophiles.
Eric FOSSE
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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