Description
Pen name of the French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873–1954), best known for such works as the Claudine series, La Chatte, and Gigi. ALS in French, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 7, no date but postmarked September 28, 1951. Letter to Emilie Biedermann, in part (translated): “What a charming ‘music box’ dear friend! And how fittingly it comes to cure my horrible flu, complicated, for the first time in my life with conjunctivitis! Eyes stuck shut, swollen face, eyedrops, eyelid rinses, all the horrors...It is questionable, if like last year, we would accept for three weeks the so amiable hospitality (Hotel de Paris) of Prince Ranier in Monte Carlo.” Nicely double-matted and framed unfolded (such that the signature is correctly oriented) with a portrait of Colette with her cats to an overall size of 19.25 x 17.75, with a window on the reverse for viewing the first page. In fine condition, with intersecting folds. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in her own hand. On a trip to Monte Carlo the spring prior, Colette happened upon a young Audrey Hepburn, who was filming a scene for Monte Carlo Baby. Charmed by Hepburn’s ‘piquant quality,’ Colette instantly cast her for the starring role of the upcoming Broadway adaptation of her book Gigi, and although the play earned mixed reviews, Hepburn’s performance captivated. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
Terms and abbreviations used in our descriptions.
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