TLS in French, signed “Faulkner,” one onionskin page, 8.5 x 11, April 20, [early 1950s]. In a scarce letter, Faulkner crosses between French and English while writing Parisian writer and editor Monique Lange to arrange a clandestine rendezvous with Else Jonsson. In part (translated): “I received a letter from Else. She is able to come to Paris. Since Faulkner will be a little bit official, discretion is called for. Would it be possible to find a place for the two of us for a week, from 20th May, a small discrete hotel, unknown, for us two, or perhaps a room for Else and one for me in the same house [and] a room for the official F. in some other house? If you and Jean-Jacques will do this kindness for your father-in-law, you will be blessed.” In very good condition, with several intersecting horizontal and vertical folds with a vertical fold crossing his signature, a tear along the horizontal fold on the right side, wrinkles, and a few words crossed out with the mark mirrored at the bottom of the page.
Despite a 33-year marriage to Estelle Oldham, Faulkner is known to have had several extramarital affairs, among them Jonsson, widow of a Swedish reporter who had once interviewed the author. Faulkner had met Else Jonsson in Stockholm in 1950 when he received his Nobel Prize and conducted an affair with her until 1953. The clandestine rendezvous put into action here likely dates to 1952, as Faulkner is known to have journeyed France in May and was joined by Jonsson, who was there to participate in an international writers’ congress. The need for “a small discrete hotel” turned out to be less important than he imagined, as pain from an existing back injury led to his hospitalization. Undaunted and still in intense pain Faulkner, soon made plans to travel to Oslo where he and Else were reunited. A straightforward and blunt request from the author to indulge his libido with his paramour. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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