Leducq Maison de Ventes aux enchères
78
-
Dumas and his publishers
See original version (French)
78
-
Dumas and his publishers
See original version (French)
Estimate €150 - €200
Voluntary lot
Description
Dumas and his publishers
(Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS. 3 signed autograph letters and one autograph document addressed to his publishers.
- Mr Dumas’s reply to Mr Souverain’s questions. 2 pp. in-8, undated, on blue paper.
An important document concerning the strict terms of their collaboration: ‘Exclusive rights for one year… Published by the Cabinet littéraire only… No engravings – we are taking legal action against *Le Siècle* for having included any. All novels, no history. I reserve exclusive rights for publication abroad… 1,000 francs per volume of 95 to 100 of my pages, payable upon delivery of the manuscript…”. The works in question: 7 volumes of *Mémoires*, *Leone Leona*, *Isaac Laquedem*. “This agreement covers 80 volumes, of which I authorise you to produce 100 volumes as usual. ”
Souverain was only a temporary publisher for Dumas (in 1844–1845, then in 1849–1851) and for just a few titles. The contract envisaged in this document was not finalised.
- To Michel Lévy. 3 October 1859. ½ p. in-8, addressed envelope. ‘If you would like to come to my house tomorrow, Monday, at three o’clock with our little contracts, we shall sign them. ”
- To Adolphe Lebègue. 23 April. 1 p. in-12 (brown paper). He needs his notes.
- To his ‘dear Louis’. 1 p. in-8. He absolutely must see him: “We’re going to miss out on this deal again this time: come along and we’ll draw up our little contract straight away so that you can announce your novel for the 1st of next month…”
Enclosed:
- 2 lines in his own hand, signed.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like