Major French symbolist poet and critic (1842-1898) whose work anticipated and inspired several revolutionary artistic schools of the early 20th century, such as Dadaism, Surrealism, and Futurism. ALS in French, signed “Stephane M.,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4 x 5, [August 13, 1871]. Beautiful letter to Symbolist poet Henri Cazalis, written from London, about Cazalis's former fiancee Ettie Yapp, the daughter of a Daily Telegraph correspondent in Paris. In part (translated): "I have not written to you yet, because to cut up this monster called an Exhibition, to make bad but conscientious articles (bad, because it is impossible to say anything in four times,) is the business of a few days. This, thanks again to Mr. Yapp, who was good and exquisite for me." About Ettie Yapp, he writes: "At first glance, I understood dear Ettie, cold, and like a young woman who did not get married. I was deeply moved, and, I will tell you, saddened for a long time. For a moment of loneliness near me, Mrs. Yapp asked me if I had seen 'Mr. Cazalis who broke the life of the poor child, which however does not suffer any more; but is nonetheless bitter.' Yesterday evening finally, dear Ettie invited me to the balcony, and we were a long time without being able to find a word to tell us…According to her, everything is over, because she has mainly lost confidence in you. Her very intention was to tell me to pray to you that you were burning the letters you have from her. I wanted to talk about your sadness, which she guessed, as something distant, but sure. She assured me that she would live only in Florence [her sister], who will perhaps be married soon. She will not marry. However, she has had two last tears, cold and virginal, which hurt me this very evening…I betray her friendly trust. Inquiring if you knew she was not married, where she was - she asked me not to tell you about her." He adds a postscript, "I do not think I can write you this letter, without begging you to burn it, is not it?" In fine condition, with intersecting folds. Accompanied by an export certificate from the French Ministry of Culture, as well as a 1965 issue of Revue d’histoire littéraire de la France, which publishes the text of this letter in an article entitled 'Mallarmé et son amie anglaise.' Yapp would later marry the Egyptologist Gaston Maspero.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$200.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
