Literature Autographs

French writer (1923-2010), known for his novels and works for young people, as well as his anti-war stance. Typed letter signed, addressed to unidentified female recipient. Written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 6 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.   

French poet (1889-1963) and also writer, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker. Signed card, with a short sentiment, attached with a half-tone photograph of him, dated by him in 1960. Size is 5 x 3.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian writer and journalist (1974-1959), signed photograph, inscribed. Blind stamped on front by photographer A. Badodi, Milan. 3.5 x 5.25 inch photo is mounted on soft cardboard, total item size is 7 x 9.5 inches, some silvering, otherwise in excellent condition. 

French author and woman of letters (1873-1954), who was also a mime, actress, and journalist. Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by her. Size is 6.9 x 8.9 inches, 1 page, folds, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is its original envelope.

English novelist and actress (1937-2015). Beautiful black-and-white promo photograph signed by her, shown young. Size is 5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

French poet and novelist (1842-1903). Postcard signed by him, indicating the year 1904.  Size is 5.4 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition.

American actress and writer (1893-1974), active between 1921 and 1960. Fine card signed by her with a short sentiment. Size is 5.3 x 3.3 inches, in excellent condition.

Argentine writer and filmmaker (b.1939). Fine color photograph signed and inscribed by him in Vienna, 2011. Size is 4.9 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

French librettist and playwright (1828-1892), co-author of Offenbach's "Orphèe aux Enfers" libretto. Autograph letter in French signed by him, about personal matters. Size is 5.21 x 8 inches, 1 page, in very good condition.

English author and journalist (1848-1911). Autograph letter signed by him, dated November 25, 1907, about personal business. Size is 5.3 x 7.2 inches, 1 page, in very good condition. Its original envelope is INCLUDED (not shown).

Portuguese journalist, author and diplomat (1883-1971), wrote numerous novels, short stories, plays, and essays, but was best known for his outspoken editorials.  Autograph letter signed, 2 pages composed in Brussels in 1935, written in French, sold with a 1 page typed French transcription. The original letter is 8.25 x 10.75 inches, folded with a small tear on the right edge, otherwise in very good condition. Transcription is 4.75 x 8.25 inches, with some markings and additions in blue ink, and is in excellent condition.   

French poet (1807-1882), who often collaborated with composers such as Bellini, Rossini, Niedermeyer, and others. Rare autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, October 25, 1837, addressed to his music publisher: “….je tiens toujours à votre disposition un recueil de plusieurs … de poesies lyriques en tout genre – romances, nocturnes, scènes historiques, tt, à votre choix (…) Connaissant à fond plusieurs instruments et notamment la guitare depuis 15 ans – permettez mois, cher Monsieur, de vous offrir un service pour les accompagnements dont vous pourriez avoir besoin – soit romances, album ou partitions entières…”.  Open size is 8.1 x 6.2 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, creases, folds, dirt, ink, and rust stains, in overall good condition.

French poet and dramatist (1850-1930). Autograph note in French (untranslated) on a card signed by him, postmarked [1887], addressed to Carl von Hock: “Reçois le mot, mille régrets. Empêché ce soir par les dernières représentation…”. Size is 5.2 x 3.1 inches, creases, in overall good condition.

French poet and dramatist (1850-1930). Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date indicated [1892 ca.]. Letters are addressed to gentlemen, and concern the music composed by Francis Thomé for his work "L’Enfant Jésus, mystère en 5 parties et en vers". We report an extract as a sample: "...je vous adresse une invitation poiur la répétition générale, en matinée, de ma pièce l'Enfant Jésus (...) nous vous serions obligés de vouloir bien consacrer quelques lignes à notre oeuvre après l'avoir vue...".  Different sizes and lengths, in very good condition or better. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French librettist (1799-1875). Collection of four autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, one of them dated April 26, 1875. Letters are addressed to Monsieur Montigny, Monsieur Laforgue, and others, concerning theater lodges and private meetings with the Comte de Gouvy. One letter concern a correction in a text of one his work: "...j'y ai fait faire peu de changement, et au lieu de j'y ai fait fort peu de changements...". Different sizes and lengths, in very good condition or better (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French writer (1821-1885), journalist, and librettist of comic operas. Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date, and addressed to a gentleman, concerning a meeting. Open size is 8.1 x 5.2 inches, 1 written page in one folded sheet, rust and dirt stains, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.

French journalist (1829-1898), librettist, and navy officer. Collection of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1868, addressed to the literary critic Paul de Saint-Victor (1827-1881), concerning "...une pièce en trois actes, muté de Caldéron (1625)..." be performed at the Théâtre du Vaudeville. We report an extract as a sample. 13 février 1868:  "...Le directeur du Vaudeville [Gustave Harmant] m'a accueilli fort bien je le déclare, mais comme un auteur présentant sa marchandise. (...) Toutefois, j'ai confiance dans mon oeuvre... Elle n'est pas ordinaire .... Elle sort des lieux commun dont on le nourrit aujourd'hui...". On the 28th February, Détroyat writes to Saint-Victor: "...Je viens de voir, par hasard, Mr. Harmant et nous avons causé ensemble de ma pièce. (...) Tout d'abord, m'a-t-il dit, le sujet l'effroie. Il pense que mettre en scène aujourd'hui des sentiments qu'ont 80 ans de date est la presque certitude d'un insuccès...".  Different sizes and lengths (for a total of six written pages), in very good condition or better (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian writer and journalist (1855-1905), secretary of the Italian Academy of Heraldry, and remembered for being the second editor of the Yearbook of the Italian nobility from 1893 to 1904. Lot of seven large autograph letters signed by him, dated between 1886 and 1890 by him. All letters are presumably addressed to the art critic Henry Lapauze. Different lengths, and sizes, in very good condition or better. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

English novelist (1812-1870), journalist, short story writer, and social critic; regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. Extra large oval photograph of him by photographer J. Gurney & Son mounted on cardboard printed with his name and mounted on a mat, boldly signed by Dickens in blue ink and dated in Washington, February 7th, 1868 (his birthday), during his second and last tour through the United States.  Total size is 23.75 x 26.75 inches, actual photo is 16.7  x 20.75 inches (visible window size), some rust tone, in overall excellent condition.  Extremely rare item and highly desirable!

English writer (1812-1870) and social critic, probably the greatest writer of the Victorian era.  Fine vintage carte-de-visite (CDV) with his image, an original by S. Poulton. Size is 2.3 x 4 inches, spotted rust, ink markings on verso, otherwise in excellent condition.

Madagascar-born French writer and director (1902-1985). Typed letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris on Feb 10th, 1967. Size is 8.25 x 10.6 inches, 1 written page, in excellent condition.

Dutch composer and arranger (1868-1954) who, in 1913, was one of the founders and first director of "The Music-Copyright Office" (BUMA). Interesting typed document in German with autograph additions and musical writing by the Dutch theologist who devolved part of his life to music, publishing an academic article in 1933 titled “The Musical Essence of Chromatic Shifting”. Description of Abraham Loman’s music theory (“Einiges der Lomanschen Theorie”) with Graphic image of the root tones in the key of D (“Graphisches Bild der Stammtöne in der Tonsorte D”). Laws and examples of the theory are reported. Size is 8.3 x 13 inches, 1 page, stains, in overall very good condition.

English writer (1807-1878), and also an editor. Autograph letter signed by him, dated 1865.  Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 3 pages written on one folded sheet, folds, in excellent condition.

American radio and TV journalist (1921-2020); active between 1939-2007. Fine black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 7.1 x 9.2 inches, in excellent condition.

British writer (1859-1930) and medical doctor, creator of the famous character Sherlock Holmes in 1887. Autograph note signed, dated in 1914, thanking someone for photos of Sherlock. One page, on letterhead paper from the Queen´s Hotel in Montreal, Canada. Size is 6.2 x 9.25 inches, folds, in excellent condition.

American children's author (1904-1991), and also animator, cartoonist, and filmmaker; whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel. Fantastic black-and-white photograph signed by him with a short sentiment.  Size is 8 x 10.2 inches, ink-stamps and stickers on verso, front in excellent condition.

French dramatist (1834-1897) who published several novels and contributed to various newspapers, in special “La Lanterne” as a theater critic. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, March 10, 1879, addressed to the French actor Derval (1801-1885), asking for theater seats for that evening. Size is 5 x 8 inches, 1 page, folds, in overall very good condition.

English poet (1882-1937) and dramatist. Fine black-and-white photo postcard signed by him. Size is 3.4 x 5 inches, in excellent condition.

French writer (1773-1850), and considered a reactionary writer on ethics, political science, and political economy. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, June 14, 1830, about the librettist Alexandre-Vincent Pineux-Duval, author of the libretto of Méhul’s opera "Joseph", concerning his absence at the Academy Jury meeting: “…j’ai l’honneur de vous prévenir que le jury de l’Académie royale de musique se réunira samedi prochain, 3 Juillet, à midi et demi…”.  Size is 8.3 x 10.3 inches, 1 page, evident folds and creases, overall rust tone, otherwise in very good condition.

English novelist (1907-1989), biographer, and playwright. Autograph note in English on a postcard signed by her. Size is 5.4 x 3.25 inches, some stains over the left border, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a clip with her signature (probably the bottom of a letter). Size is 4.3 x 1.75 inches, in excellent condition.

French writer (1789-1882). Fine set of 3 autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by her. Each one's size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, 1-page long each, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French author (1824-1895) and playwright best known for the romantic novel La Dame aux Camélias published in 1848 which was adapted into Verdi's 1853 opera La Traviata. His original vintage visiting card with a short greeting written by him in Paris, 1895. Size is 3.75 x 2.3 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is its small original envelope.

Persian-English writer (b.1947), Peace Nobel Prize winner in 2003. Fine color photograph signed by her. Size is 7.9 x 9.75 inches, in excellent condition.

French musicologist (1863-1952). Collection of eight autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed, dated between 1941 and 1948. Most of the letters are addressed to the friend and singer of Debussy, Ravel, and De Falla, Marguerite Greslé. We report an extract as a sample: "...Ce que vous nous dites de vos élèves, de vos filles, ne nous étonne point; sous votre direction et avec vos examples vous formerez toujours d'exquises musiciennesm et ainsi le chant français, celui d'aujourd'hui comme celui de la vieille France, par vos soins fleurira. Vous me parlez de duos du Florilège pour voix de femmes; il est en d'autres, et des trios, voire même des quatuors en un album intitulé: Anthologie chorale des Maîtres Musiciens de la Renaissance française. Concerts du XVI siècle...". Different sizes and lengths (for a total of 13 written pages), in very good condition or better (see scans provided), third-party inscriptions or glosses are present in two letters. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY

French playwright (1869-1955) and general administrator of the Comédie-Francaise from 1915 to 1936. Set of 3 autograph letters signed by him about professional matters. Different sizes and lengths, all in very good condition or better. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French writer (1774-1852) and musicologist. between 1805 and 1809 he published a collection of 16 volumes in-12 titled "Quatre saisons du Parnasse", in which he inserted many articles on music, and notices on several musicians. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated September 23, 1812, where he addresses Mr. Loins, librarian in Paris: “…Je vous remets 1° le morceau de musique de M. Barni; 2° L’Esprit de M.elle [Sophie] Arnould avec une lettre de cette actrice qui sera mise à la fin; 3° quelques pièces pour le chansonnier de Graces…”.  Size is 6.1 x 7.7 inches, 1 page, folds, creases, overall rust tone, sealing marks and addressee information on verso, in very good condition.

American writer (1789-1851) of historical romances in Colonial and Indigenous times. Receipt mounted on hard cardboard signed by him matted together with a lithograph with his image. Total size is 14 x 11.1 inches, receipt's size is 5.5 x 2.25 inches, in very good condition.

American writer (1850-1935), best known for his children's poetry and humor essays. Autograph letter signed by him (probably to a friend about personal matters), dated in Chicago, 1884.  Size is 4.9 x 7.8 inches, repairs at the center, missing couple of lines, some stains and folds, in overall good condition.  Very rare! ALSO INCLUDED is a half-tone photograph of the writer, probably from a book or magazine.  Size is 7 x 9.4 inches, in very good condition.

Austrian neurologist (1856-1939) and the founder of psychoanalysis. Autograph letter with his letterhead written in German, with his clear and bold signature on verso, dated in 1932, to Paul Epstein discussing his new study group of Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. Freud expresses that "Analysis certain needs fellowship and the exchange of ideas", and is happy with the fact that Epstein (who was an enthusiastic supporter of psychoanalysis) founded the Psychoanalytic Study Group in Los Angeles. Sold with translation and transcription, see last picture. Size is 5.6 x 9 inches, 1 sheet (written on both sides), central fold, minor crack over the upper border, otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian poet (1884-1961), writer, and musician better known as "E.A. Mario".  Autograph letter signed by him, written in Italian (sold untranslated), dated in 1947.  Size is 8.1 x 11.7 inches, 1 page, folds, minor stains, in very good condition.

French playwright (1862-1912), who became well known in 1886 with his first play "Les Femmes collantes". Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated 1903. Size is 4.5 x 5.8 inches, 2 written pages, in excellent condition.

French playwright (1862-1912). His visiting card with a short text written by him. Size is 4 x 2.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American writer (1903-1967), Historian, an critic. Autograph letter in English signed by him and dated in New York, 1953. Size is 7.1 x 10.5 inches, 1 page, folds, in very good condition. Its original envelope is ALSO INCLUDED.

German bass and writer (1894-1914), unsigned mini-cabinet photo, shown as himself. Photo by Ernst Milster, Berlin. Size is 2.5 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

French writer (1876-1943) and Art Historian. Fine autograph manuscript, no date, by Gillet, titled "Hoffmanstahl, poète de l'Autriche". In this moving memorial, Gillet attempts to bring back to life the works of the poet Hugo von Hofmannstahl (1874-1929), little known to the French public. We report an extract as a sample: "...C'était pourtant un grand poète, et peut-êtr, avec d'Annunzio, le premier de ce siècle: dans cette Allemagne de fer et de philistins, de casernes et de bureaux, de canons et d'argent qui avait succédé à la victoire de Bismarck et où Nietzsche, après une vie d'exil, était mort de dégoût, de colère et de folie, il était le premier qui eût ramené la poésie. Dans ce monde brutal, il ramenait par la main cette inconnue, ou celle oubliée, la Beauté. Il allait la chercher aux bords où elle était restée, à venise, chez cette reine déchue de l'Adriatique, dans la Grèce archaïque et les villes mortes de l'Argolide, où Schliemann venait de rouvir les tombeaux de Mycènes, les sépulcres des rois égorgées ; il écrivait La Mort de Titien, Venise sauvée, Electre, Oedipe, Ariane à Naxos. Il était de ceux qui pensent avec l'auteur de la Gaya Scienza : "Il faut méditerraniser la musique...". Size is 5.2 x 8.2 inches, 10 written pages, including two pages of preparatory notes, in very good condition.

Prominent American writer and editor (1931-2023) who was at various times the editor-in-chief of the Simon & Schuster and Alfred A. Knopf publishing houses and of The New Yorker magazine. Typed note signed on the New Yorker letterhead with handwritten signature, rejecting a proposed article solicitation for the magazine, dated in 1990. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, very small crease on top right and one fold, otherwise in excellent condition. 

German novelist (1927-2015) and also poet, playwright, illustrator, graphic artist, sculptor, recipient of the Nobel Prize of Literature in 1999. Signed photo, shown in a press conference or book presentation, size is 10.6 x 6.9 inches, in excellent condition.

American Quaker poet (1807-1892) and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Small album page signed by him. Size is 4.2 x 5.5 inches, with some fading on ink, otherwise in excellent condition.