Dumas and His Publishers (Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS. 3 signed...

Dumas and His Publishers
(Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS. 3 signed autograph letters and one autograph document addressed to his publishers.
- Mr. Dumas’s response to Mr. Souverain’s questions. 2 pp., in-8, undated, on blue paper.
An important document detailing the strict terms of their collaboration: “Exclusive rights for one year… Published exclusively by the Cabinet littéraire… No engravings—we sued *Le Siècle* for including them. All novels, no historical works. I reserve exclusive rights to foreign markets… 1,000 francs per volume of 95 to 100 of my pages, payable upon delivery of the manuscript…". The works in question: 7 volumes of *Mémoires*, *Leone Leona*, and *Isaac Laquedem*. “This agreement covers 80 volumes, of which I authorize you to produce 100 volumes as usual.”
Souverain was only a temporary publisher for Dumas (in 1844–1845, then in 1849–1851) and for only a few titles. The contract outlined in this document was never finalized.
- To Michel Lévy. October 3, 1859. ½ p. in-8, addressed. “If you would like to come to my place tomorrow, Monday, at three o’clock with our little contracts, we will sign them.”
- To Adolphe Lebègue. April 23. 1 p. in-12 (brown paper). He needs his notes.
- To his “dear Louis.” 1 p. in-8. He absolutely must see him: “We’re going to miss our chance again this time: come over, and we’ll draw up our little contract right away so that you can announce your novel for the 1st of next month…”
Enclosed:
- 2 lines of autograph text, signed.