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152
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(Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS the Younger.
See original version (French)
152
-
(Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS the Younger.
See original version (French)
Estimate €600 - €800
Voluntary lot
Description
(Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS the Younger. A collection of signed autograph letters addressed to various correspondents, most of whom are anonymous, undated: 51 in-8, approx. 105 pp. – 27 in-12, 55 pp. – 6 notes – 3 visiting cards.
- To the President of the Republic. ‘The Minister for Public Instruction, in doing me the honour of coming to announce my promotion to the rank of Grand Officer in person, told me of the kind and flattering words you had spoken of me. But at the same time, he advised me not to speak of this promotion for forty-eight hours. So I merely came to register at the Élysée…’
– Yes. But all that does not explain your long silence. Your pride has certainly suffered… And dreams! As if you were the only one who has them. I, too, have dreamt of you – quite some time ago now – and it niggled at me as well. Anyway. You refer me to Laure, very kindly, but you do refer me to her. What she would want from me, I would want from you; such is the way of the world…’ – [20 December 1850]. To Mr Ritt, to whom he sent a telegram from Bias regarding the staging of *Rigoletto*. ‘Anything you can do for Boas will be much appreciated.’ – ‘I did not find Made Dumas in good health. His agitation and weakness are both increasing before our very eyes.’ – “The mayor of St Valéry-en-Caux has sent me, on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress, the petition which I enclose with this letter. Last summer I stayed in that little seaside port which has suffered so much from cholera and which has just been struck by yet another disaster. Mr Anquetil believes I am in a position to present this to our sovereign myself…’ – ‘My dear child. I cannot tell you where Colette and Jeannine are at the moment.’ – ‘My whole house is a hospital. Mrs Dumas is going from bad to worse. Colette has been in bed for the past 15 days… and the two children who came to stay for 48 hours are coughing in the drawing room, which has been turned into a dormitory… ” – “I’ve heard about the Senate vote. I’m very pleased for you, having led this campaign with such perseverance, energy, tact and talent.” – In Montigny: ‘Could you give a small role to Mrs Robin… who needs one for a concert… I highly recommend this lady to you.’ – ‘Is the weather in Constantinople suitable for visiting the bazaars? If so, would you mind looking after my eldest daughter… ” – “Dear Madam, I do not wish to leave without knowing how Esther spent the night. Please give me news of her. I am not writing to her directly so as not to tire her with reading my letters and replying to them.” – “Here is my small debt. Could the person who bought Gaillardet’s letter perhaps provide a copy certified by you? I may need this evidence, as Mr Gaillardet is dead. But perhaps it was the family who bought it.” – [1888]. “May I speak to you quite frankly? Neither you nor I have the authority, right or competence to settle this Chambige matter. The courts felt they had to convict; they feel they must pardon – that is none of our business…” – “You’ll have your copy. I can’t promise it will be very good, but it will be there!” – “I’ve received [Phryné?]. But I’d prefer a finer copy on Holland paper, with the epilogue printed separately…’ – ‘Come and have dinner if you’re not dining anywhere else.’ – ‘Thank you, my dear friend; that’s the most interesting thing of all… Carnot’s letter informing your father of his appointment to the Legion of Honour and the date of it is very valuable.” – “Here I am! Here I am! But I still have plenty to do in Paris, where neither Madame Dumas nor the children are. ’ – ‘My dear friend, you know you’re ruining me. I bought some Ardennes and some St Rambert on your advice, the former at 690 and the latter at 737.50, and I’m losing 50 francs on the former and 77 francs on the latter… ” – “Thank you very much, but I only buy complete manuscripts from my father.” – “Here is your note. The article was charming. Only Mlle Colette thinks you haven’t flattered her enough… Tremble!” – “Publish it, my dear friend, but instead of an ‘X’ that could refer to anyone, you’d have to find someone who’s since passed away.”
– [1895]. “My dear neighbour. I’m told you’re looking for a cook. I’m sending you one who’s just leaving my house; she’s an excellent cook, very tidy, very precise, very honest, very polite – simply perfect. So why am I letting her go? Because Madame Régnier, having become Madame Dumas, is keeping her own… who looked after her mother with rare devotion and who, to top it all, is an excellent cook.”
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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