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an old handwritten letter on a piece of paper in a black framesomeone wrote a letter to the president of the united states on the day of his inauguration
OUEST ENCHERES PUBLIQUES NANTES & RENNES

74 - POUQUET Jeanne-Maurice (1874–1962), woman of letters. Wife o…
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Estimate €60 - €80
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Description
POUQUET Jeanne-Maurice (1874–1962), woman of letters. Wife of the playwright Gaston Arman de Caillavet, a friend of Proust’s. She inspired Proust to create the character of Gilberte Swann, and exchanged a substantial volume of correspondence with him. From her marriage to Gaston Arman de Caillavet came their only daughter, Simone, the principal model for Mlle de Saint-Loup in Proust’s *In Search of Lost Time*, who went on to marry André Maurois. Autograph letter signed on letterhead from: Essendiéras, Saint-Médard d’Excideuil, dated 18 August 1956, addressed to Madame Jacques Suffel: ‘Dear little friend, I hope your fingers have healed! Here, the state of health isn’t great. M. P. [Maurice Pouquet, her second husband, who was ill] has returned; he’s better, but not quite well yet. It’s a bit disheartening! Mr Maurois [André Maurois], whilst trying to stop his car (whose brakes had failed) with one leg, severely damaged the tendons in that leg. He is limping and in a great deal of pain. It has been ten days since then, and there is hardly any sign of improvement. As for me, I’m tired; I’m paying the price for those dreadful months of anxiety. At 82, one no longer has the stamina of youth. You’ll find me looking quite aged; I’m looking forward to your arrival with great impatience – you know I love you very much. We are currently hosting Madame Mauclair; we are expecting Mr and Mrs Pierre Benoît on Monday, and many others after that. The atmosphere is not as cheerful as in previous years. The presence of poor Mr Pouquet, who is barely recovered, André’s painful limp, and my extreme fatigue are the reasons for this. I hope that by the time you arrive, we’ll all be feeling much better! I send my love to you both. Jeanne’. 2 pages in-4 (dim: 21 x 27 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
Auction location
Auction time 06/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 06/18/2026 at 5:09 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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