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OUEST ENCHERES PUBLIQUES NANTES & RENNES

79 - 1-VIELÉ-GRIFFIN, Francis (1864–1937), Symbolist poet. Presid…
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Estimate €80 - €100
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1-VIELÉ-GRIFFIN, Francis (1864–1937), Symbolist poet. President of the Académie Mallarmé. Autograph letter signed, dated 29 August 1936 in Bergerac, addressed to Georges Lecomte, Permanent Secretary of the Académie française: ‘Yes, my dear old friend, this Symbolism that once brought us together was celebrated in fine style, through an unexpected and truly haughty affirmation of idealism, in these times of tragic bestiality and base materialism, and by a France that sought to be the “mother of the Arts”. This stance certainly made an impression and gave pause for thought abroad; we can congratulate ourselves on having taken this step. I am told that your old Academy will henceforth select its candidates; that it is doing away with the ‘visits’, the quasi-electoral rigmarole, the randomness of the ballot, and the scandal of fanciful candidacies: that would be a good thing. For everything that contributes to French dignity is dear to us. In the hope of seeing you again this winter in Paris, I send you my warmest regards. Francis Vielé-Griffin’. 1 page, in-4 (dim: 21 x 27 cm); fine copy. 2-HARRY Myriam (1869–1958), woman of letters. First winner of the Prix Femina (1904). Autograph signed letter dated 26 September (no year) in Neuilly: ‘Dear Madam, your letter of 22 August did indeed give me great pleasure, but I have only just found it today. My daughter’s marriage? I have never had a daughter; I have only one son, though he is adopted and still too young to marry. And might there not be the same error regarding Lieutenant Silvèse in *La Divine Chanson* ’ [Paris: A. Fayard, Les Inédits de Modern Bibliothèque, 1912, 128 pp.], for it seems unlikely to me that this officer, a figment of my imagination, should have become a lawyer. Nevertheless, I thank you, dear Madam, for the friendly interest you have shown in me and my novels, and I ask you to accept, as a token of my gratitude, my latest volume, *Amina, ma colombe*. ‘Myriam Harry’. 2 pages, in-4 (dimensions: 22.5 x 16.5 cm); trace of a crease. 3-BAZIN Hervé (1911–1996), writer and novelist. Member of the Académie Goncourt (1960), President in 1973. Signed poem (extract from ‘Torchères’), entitled ‘Est-il mort ?’. Twelve quatrains. Four pages. Size: 21 x 23 cm. Enclosed is a signed calling card bearing the name ‘Hervé Bazin, President of the Académie Goncourt’, accompanying the poem: ‘Dear Sir, here is a short and highly expressive little poem which might, in short, bring to mind… *Le Démon d’après minuit*. I thank you for your letter and ask you to accept, dear Sir, my best regards. Hervé Bazin’. Double-sided. Dimensions: 12.8 x 8.2 cm. A fine copy. Autograph letter signed by Gérard Leman to Hervé Bazin, Tourcoing, 8 November 1987. He asks him which major literary prize Le Clézio narrowly missed out on in 1963. Autograph reply signed by Hervé Bazin on this same letter: “1963, Prix Goncourt: Le Clézio, 5; Lanoux, 5. Lanoux won thanks to the casting vote of President Dorgelès. Best regards. H.B.” 1 folio-sized page (dimensions: 21 x 29.5 cm). Envelope addressed to G. Leman enclosed (13 November 1987). Fine copy. 4- LACHELIER Jules (1832–1918), philosopher. Member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences (1896–1918). A professor renowned for his rigour and great discretion, Lachelier burnt many of his papers towards the end of his life and forbade the publication of his personal letters after his death. A 4-page autograph signed letter written in Paris, dated 6 March 1893, concerning Descartes, the ‘Meditations’ and immortality: ‘Sir, I vaguely recalled the passage from Descartes to which you have kindly referred me, and I have just reread it carefully: but I must confess that it has always struck me, and still strikes me, as rather unsatisfactory. Descartes begins by establishing that, in the *Meditations* themselves, there was no question of immortality, nor could there be: he was unable to go beyond the distinction between the two natures, one corporeal, the other spiritual; a distinction which, it is true, is sufficient ‘to give men hope of some form of life after death’. To prove immortality, he still needs two further premises … etc… Spinoza seems to me, on this point, to be the only faithful—or at the very least consistent—interpreter of Descartes… etc… ”. Dimensions: 13 x 20.3 cm; fine copy. Appraisal carried out by Pascal GUILLEBAUD. Lot from a voluntary sale.
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About the sale Manuscripts, Philately and Bibliophilia
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Auction time 06/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 06/18/2026 at 5:09 PM
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