1 / 4
several old papers are stacked on top of each other on a white surfacea pile of old papers with writing on themthree black and white photographs of a man in a hat and a man in a sailor ' s uniforman old book with a bunch of letters and pictures on it
Premium ROUILLAC

168 - Jean-Loup Benjamin (1917–1945, Died for France), *L’Enfant t…
See original version (French)

Estimate €500 - €800
Sale commission
Description
Jean-Loup Benjamin (1917–1945, Died for France), *L’Enfant tué* A collection of manuscripts, correspondence, handwritten notes, press cuttings and miscellaneous items *L’enfant tué*, handwritten draft with crossings-out and corrections, Tours, 30 June–11 August 1945, 287 pp., in-4 10 photographic prints used for illustration: Jean-Loup as a child, in a soldier’s uniform; his grave near Mulhouse; Le Plessis in Savonnières A collection of over 400 letters to and from the author, letters to the editor and visiting cards, 1946–1948, received by René Benjamin following the publication of his book, including Typewritten copy, Riom Prison, 18 December 1946, Charles Maurras My Dear Friend, You have produced a truly beautiful book from the heart. One is almost ashamed to speak to you about it; so intimate and profound is it. One fears violating your mysteries, which you have touched upon with marvellous modesty, in such a way that everything that was yours might at least be glimpsed by your reader. And (allow a fellow writer to speak to you of our shared art) how solid yet fluid, firm yet moving it all is! Lamartine put it well: the poignant is eternal; it lives, drawn from the purest realm of the soul. I have read it, reread it, and had my roommates read it too, and they were moved in exactly the same way. They also considered your proud manner of portraying your—and our—tormentors to be masterful. What a disgrace it would be for our France if it were to be besmirched by this scum and dregs, and by these pretensions to heroism! But what they have added of their own accord and gratuitously to the damage caused by their declaration of war already contains history’s verdict. It has been delivered. It remains for us to enforce it. Patience! Confidence! The day of justice will come for the Marshal and for those who, like us, have listened to him, served him and followed him without overstepping the mark. My respectful regards to Mrs René Benjamin. I could not help but smile sadly, from afar, at your mention of Mrs Ruxton and her Shakespearean women, whom I have so often criticised!! Such is the way of life and death. With all my heart, your friend: Charles MAURRAS P.S. And I nearly forgot to thank you for sending me this fine book of blood and tears! I was so happy to see your handwriting again, and to know that you are safe! 14 L.A.S., 1946, from the publishers of Les Editions Nouvelles in Paris and Les Editions du Cheval Ailé in Geneva To René Benjamin after reading *L’Enfant tué*, a poem by Alfred Droin, 1 handwritten page, in-8 Louis Barot, doctor and writer – Henriette Célarié, novelist Maurice Clavière, writer Paul Creyssel, lawyer, politician and propagandist under the Vichy regime – Délia Col, actress Jean d’Elbée, historian and essayist – Charles Gos, Swiss writer and journalist (2) Roger Joseph, journalist François Le Grix, journalist Alphonse Métérié, poet - Elie Moroy, Swiss poet and art critic (2) - Giovanni Papini, Italian writer Henry Planche, writer - Raymond Ritter, lawyer and collector Maurice Storez, architect - Jean des Vallières, writer Maximilien Vox, engraver, illustrator, publisher and journalist Numerous accounts from people who were interned during the ‘Epuration’ or who suffered the loss of a loved one, including 2 handwritten letters, Angers, 15 November 1947 and 9 January 1948, Yvonne Lange Letter, Château de Corbiac, Lombras (Dordogne), 17 November 1947, Louis Durand de Corbiac, former cavalry colonel Letter, 30 April 1947, Clermont-Ferrand, Maurice Bertin Letter, 11 December 1946, Château de Wardrecques, Magdeleine Bommier; a poignant account of the loss of a little girl at Ravensbrück FIND THE FULL AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT IN OUR ONLINE AUCTION CATALOGUE
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
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
You may also like