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two old letters are sitting on top of a piece of paperan old handwritten letter with blue ink on a piece of papera lot of old letters and envelopes on the tableseveral old letters and envelopes are sitting on top of each other
ROUILLAC

160 - Jean Chevrier, known as Herbert (1908–2004), theatre directo…
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Estimate €200 - €400
Sale commission
Description
Jean Chevrier, known as Herbert (1908–2004), theatre director in Lyon and later in Paris, prisoner of war from 1940 to 1944 Collection of correspondence 28 letters written by the sender and postcards, 1939–1947, addressed to René Benjamin, including: Letter written by the sender, postcard, 29 September 1939 Dear Sir and friend, Allow me to introduce myself: Jean Herbert, former administrator of the Célestins theatre, currently a second lieutenant on paid leave in a small village in the Meuse. I have moved without transition from the Célestins theatre to the theatre of operations. After a short stay in Savoie, where we assembled the division, we set up camp here before moving to the front line. The cold is beginning to bite quite hard; I think it will be a harsh winter, but I would be wrong to complain, as there are those far less fortunate than myself. I am secretary and driver to the commander of the unit to which I am attached, a charming and kind man who fought throughout the First World War (10 commendations) You must be wondering why I’m writing to you? Well, here’s why: first of all, because when you’re on your own, you think of the people you care about, and those you admire, and secondly, I could not resist the urge to tell you how much I appreciate your article, which has just appeared in the latest issue of *Candide*—which I managed to find yesterday in Bar-le-Duc, where I had gone on a mission— How right you are! The war has not yet begun for the civilian population, and we ourselves will soon experience its horrors. To think that there are still French people who believe in the Germans’ good faith! I was in Berlin last July and was able to see their mindset for myself. When the war is won (for we shall win it), we must show no mercy towards these barbarians. Our politicians will have a duty to secure a lasting peace, underpinned by solid and unassailable guarantees; otherwise, there would be no point in fighting, and what would be the point of all these sacrifices? After the war, we shall be entitled to spend our short lives in peace and work; the blood shed must wash away the shame of 1936, and we shall at last be able to show the world what the true France is. I am confident; and besides, if our representatives prove unequal to the task, we may well have a say in the matter… 14 P.A.S., 1940–1943, written from Oflag IV, a prisoner-of-war camp near Dresden in Germany 30 September 1940 (...) how happy you would be if you could see our camp, feel the intense life that reigns here. It is a small town of six thousand souls. Young people predominate, thank goodness! We have set up a university with faculties of law, arts, sciences and medicine. Each faculty has its own dean, chosen from among the qualified lecturers. Exams are held and certificates awarded. 2,500 students attend lectures given by professors whom no university in France could ever assemble. We have set up a theatre. We perform plays by Molière, Corneille and Jules Romains. The actors wear masks that are masterpieces of expression. The costumes and sets are made of paper but are delightful. Lectures are held every day, covering all subjects, even surrealism and anti-poetry! Every evening at 8 pm: religious talks and communal prayers. Masses in every block every morning from 6 am to 8 am. On Sundays, a sung High Mass in the open air, facing the French sky... 2 October 1940 (...) Currently, there is an exhibition of works by artists from the camp (Max Ingrand, Pierre Marquet – names to remember), featuring 300 drawings that will illustrate novels and poems written here. Remarkable modern art. An altar crafted from discarded items. Astonishing work: candlesticks, censers, a tabernacle and various religious objects made from empty tins are truly admirable. A tin Christ figure shines down upon it all; one might think he is smiling at this expression of love. Wood carvings, domestic crafts, embroidery – everything is on display in a distinctly Parisian atmosphere! A miracle, I tell you. When a person wants to create, even if they have a physical disability (as is our case), nothing deters them (...) Here in the camp are J. C. Legrand, Paul Colline, Patrice de la Tour du Pin, etc... 1 July 1941 (...) I am beginning my 13th month of captivity and I am searching in vain for any sign that might indicate the end of my exile (...) I am working incredibly hard; it is the only way to survive here. I am staging *La 1ère légion*, which premiered in 1938 at the Vieux-Colombier; after that, I intend to stage Balzac’s *Le Faiseur*. On that occasion, I would like to pay tribute to Antoine at the curtain-raiser, to explain who he was and what he brought to French theatre... L.A.S., Paris, letterhead ‘Les Deux Anes, the liveliest theatre in Paris’, 15 June 1947 FIND THE FULL AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT IN OUR ONLINE AUCTION CATALOGUE
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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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