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two old black and white photos of a man in a suit and tiean old book with two pages of writing on it
Balsan Encheres

758 - MOSELLE / JOURNALISM / LITERATURE - EDMOND ABOUT ( * ) - cir…
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Estimate €50
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MOSELLE / JOURNALISM / LITERATURE - EDMOND ABOUT ( * ) - circa 1870, TWO PHOTOGRAPHS - close-up full-length portrait facing the camera, by CARJAT + full-length portraits in a tailcoat and top hat by FRANCK in Paris - Albumen bromides mounted on card, visiting-card size 10.4 x 6 cm. ( * ) François Edmond Valentin ABOUT: born on 14 February 1828 in DIEUZE / Moselle, died in Paris on 16 January 1885 - Writer, journalist, art critic; elected to seat 11 of the Académie Française in 1884. - The son of a grocer, he studied at the minor seminary, then at the Lycée Charlemagne, winning the honourable mention in philosophy at the concours général. He entered the École Normale Supérieure in 1848 and came first in the agrégation in literature in 1851 - Appointed a member of the French School in Athens 1851–52 - Stayed in Egypt 1867–68 - He took part in the maiden voyage of the Orient Express in 1883 – From each of his journeys, he returned with marvellous novels. As an art critic, he kept abreast of developments among the new painters and the ‘Salon’, and mocked Gustave Courbet’s ‘anarchy in art’ - His numerous novels and short stories were bestsellers: ‘The Man with the Broken Ear’, ‘The King of the Mountains’, ‘Germaine’, ‘A Notary’s Nose’…etc. He suffered greatly from the Prussian occupation of his native Moselle and Alsace and wrote extensive war reports from his home in Saverne. The Moselle Departmental Archives hold his papers, manuscripts and correspondence with his wife, and showcase this exceptional man. He served as president of the Society of Men of Letters: 1877–1880 and 1881–1884.
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About the sale SALE OF COINS, BANKNOTES, MEDALS, CIVILIAN AND MILITARY HEADGEAR, INSIGNIA AND DECORATIONS – lots 300 to 598 Followed by OLD PAPERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, POSTCARDS, DOCUMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS – Lots 599 to 862
Auction location
Auction time 10/20/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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