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a close up of a piece of paper with writing on itseveral old letters and envelopes are displayed on a white surfacea letter written in french on a piece of paperan open book sitting on top of a table next to a white tablean open book with writing on it on a tablea picture of a book with a picture of people walking on the sidewalkan old book with a red cover and gold triman old book with a red cover and gold trim
ROUILLAC

31 - Georges Courteline (1858–1929), novelist and playwright
See original version (French)

Estimate €100 - €200
Sale commission
Description
Georges Courteline (1858–1929), novelist and playwright Lot comprising 6 autograph letters and 1 publication, including: P.A.S., Paris, undated My dear Benjamin, I have only just got round to reading your book, but I am keen to tell you, without wasting a minute, just how much I enjoyed it. Your Amadou is very much in your vein, for he resembles Gaspard like a brother, and the characters surrounding him are most delightful examples of the ridiculousness of humanity! It is excellent..." L.A.S., Paris, 27 January 1922 You’re mad, my dear Benjamin, to write such things about me, and even more so, not to let me read them!… If Mr Guy de Pourtalès, of the Literary Society, hadn’t asked me yesterday, quite by chance, what I thought of your essay in the *Revue Hebdomadaire*, it is likely that I I would never have had cause to think anything of it, and you would have waited for days and weeks for even the slightest word of thanks. That would have been something!… Anyway, even if it was just a scare, I can tell you how grateful I am for such a steadfastly generous friendship, clearly driven by the fixed idea of reminding me of yours every five minutes! In truth, if, as you say—and as I am not far from believing—I harbour a vague streak of misanthropy, I do not owe it to the severity that good men have shown me! How many writers, indeed, will, like me, have benefited from their extraordinary indulgence: your article proves this once again. I thank you, to begin with, as many times as I do to end with: that makes a good two thousand times in all. It is not too much. (...) P.S. It was meant to be that we should hear of one another. I met Guy de Pourtalès on my way out of Flammarion’s, where I’d gone to sign copies—for a few friends, including you, of course—of a book published a few years ago, of which I am now publishing a new edition, carefully revised and considerably expanded. The 8.47 train Paris, Société littéraire de France, 1917 adorned with woodcuts by Carlègle 23 x 15 cm First edition on Lafuma vellum, no. 710/1200 Half-shagreen binding with corners, spine with 5 raised bands, gilt lettering, gilt head Autographed and signed copy A fine copy
See original version (French)
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About the sale René Benjamin, the 20th-century Balzac scholar
Auction location
Auction time 10/06/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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