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several old letters are stacked on top of each other on a white surfacea lot of papers that are stacked together on a tableseveral old handwritten letters are stacked on top of each othermany papers and a pen on top of each otheran old handwritten letter with a picture of a man and a womanan old black and white photo of a man with a beard
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171 - Henri Poulain (1912–1987), journalist and writer
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Estimate €1,000 - €2,000
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Description
Henri Poulain (1912–1987), journalist and writer A collection of over 200 letters and miscellaneous items FIND THE FULL AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT IN OUR ONLINE AUCTION CATALOGUE 57 letters from the sender and postmarks, 1933–1948, addressed to René Benjamin, including: Letter from the author, Metz, 16 June 1935; in the midst of military training Letter from the author, Metz, 15 May 1936; military service Letter from the author, Paris, 25 May 1937; freelance writer for several newspapers Letter from the author, Paris, 3 August 1937; the winding career of a journalist and columnist in Paris L.A.S., Paris, 9 February 1941, ‘Je Suis Partout’ letterhead Transcript of the registered letter, 16 September 1943, from Charles Lesca, editor-in-chief of *Je Suis Partout*, formalising the dismissal of Henri Poulain from his posts as managing director and editorial secretary of the weekly, and Henri Poulain’s reply contesting the dismissal on the grounds of abandonment of post. During the summer of 1943, Robert Brasillach, the newspaper’s long-standing editor-in-chief, decided to resign. Disillusioned by German atrocities and the foreseeable outcome of the war, he wished to distance himself. Henri Poulain had historically been Brasillach’s right-hand man on the editorial team (as editorial secretary). Brasillach’s departure automatically led to the sidelining of his loyal followers. L.A.S., 13 November 1945; clandestine letter referring to the search for exile L.A.S., 5 December 1945; clandestine letter L.A.S., Geneva, 2 August 1947; Henri Poulain writes under the pseudonym François Laurence, in which he engages in a self-analysis of his depression in exile and his separation from his first wife. In August 1947, Poulain was facing a death sentence in absentia in France for his active involvement in the collaborationist newspaper *Je suis partout*. L.A.S., Geneva, 31 August 1947; a fresh start in Switzerland 100 L.A.S./P.A.S., 1934–1948, written by René Benjamin and addressed to Henri Poulain; Benjamin closely followed the young Poulain’s career, becoming his mentor, proofreader and adviser on his columns and articles written with a view to possible publication in the Parisian press, including: Letter from the author, Paris, 1 January 1937; advice on writing articles for the press Letter from the author, Le Plessis, Savonnières, 24 August 1938; René Benjamin’s working method explained whilst preparing a biography L.A.S., Le Plessis, Savonnières, 2 September 1939; declaration of war L.A.S., Le Plessis, Savonnières, 22 July 1940; the arrival of the Germans 31 L.A.S., 1949–1973, written by Henri Poulain, who was living in Geneva, and addressed to Henriette and François Benjamin, children of René Benjamin, including: File: Study by Henri Poulain on the life and work of René Benjamin for a lecture in Geneva on 24 May 1955, notes and handwritten draft Photographic portrait of René Benjamin, mounted under glass, with a signed autograph inscription: ‘My dear Poulain, I’ve been looking at this and I tell myself that friendship is a fine thing! June 1938’ 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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