an old handwritten letter is displayed on a piece of paper
OUEST ENCHERES PUBLIQUES NANTES & RENNES

67 - SAINTE-BEUVE, Charles-Augustin (1804–1869), writer and liter…
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Estimate €100 - €200
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Description
SAINTE-BEUVE, Charles-Augustin (1804–1869), writer and literary critic. A signed autograph letter dated 10 September 1867, addressed to a young colleague: ‘Sir, your reply gives me the impression that you attribute my failure to take any action on your behalf to a lack of goodwill on my part. But I assure you that I have told you nothing but the truth. Please bear in mind that I have been ill for months, am incapacitated and do not go out, and that my close circle of acquaintances consists entirely of men of letters, who are far from having any positions to offer. Requests on my part, similar to the one you desire, have piled up without any success. It is therefore not, Sir, because I do not consider you worthy of my attention (you are, both for your verse and your literary tastes), but solely because I see no way of doing so, that I shall regret not being able to assist you. I cannot explain to you more clearly in a letter the true state of affairs and the nature of the relationships which (allow me to say) your youthful inexperience imagines quite differently…’. 2 pages in-12 (Dimensions: 10.4 x 13 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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