Renowned French actress and cabaret singer (1865–1944) who was immortalized in a number of works by prominent Belle Époche poster artists Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Jules Cheret. Biographical manuscript in Guilbert’s hand, in French, signed at the top of the first page “Yvette Guilbert,” 14 pages on 8 sheets of graph paper, 6.75 x 8.75, no date. In part (translated): “At the age of twelve I left school. I had scarcely passed my early childhood when my father decided that he would make me an ‘informed and world-wise’ person, what he called a ‘girl on her guard’…. My mother, big dealer in the hat trade, had an establishment of 80 workers, which I helped her to manage. I was 15 1/2 years old…. A small event, in which chance or fate imposed its will upon my life, in the form of a chance encounter, changed my life forever…. One day, in order to provide me with some diversion, my mother sent me to the theatre … to see , for the first time, Sarah Bernhardt perform…. At last, a beautiful and very elegant actress appeared. I devoured her with my eyes; I listened to her all aglow, but little by little my flame extinguished. The act ended and impulsively I expressed my disappointment to my companion—’Ah! No! No! That Sarah Bernhardt, she is not Sarah Bernhardt. She doesn’t ring true; not natural’…. It was then that the neighbor on my left said to me: ‘Bravo, Mademoiselle…. You arrived late and are unaware that an announcement had been made that Sarah Bernhardt was ill and would be replaced….’ It is not Paris that recognized my talents, my distinct uniqueness, which later on caused Jean Lorrain to write: ‘Yvette Guilbert triumphs as a music hall singer because she is not one of them!…” Also included is an ALS in French, one page both sides, 8.25 x 10.5, September 5 [dated in another hand 1942]. Guilbert writes to Monsieur Pauliac. In part (translated): “I wanted to let you know what a wonderful reception our broadcast was given!… I am anxious to express to you all the warm and sincere gratitude I hold for your assistance on that night … when I was suddenly overwhelmed by those old airs the orchestra played … marking the phases of my youth gone by. I suddenly saw, once again, under the trees of the concert place, ambassadors on the Champs-Elysées, a beautiful green silhouette with black gloves … and a crowd acclaiming: the lady with the black gloves….” Accompanied by full translations for both items. In fine condition overall, with scattered toning, light wrinkling, and handling wear. RRAuction COA.
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