(Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS, Jr. A collection of signed autograph...

(Lot) – Alexandre DUMAS, Jr. A collection of signed autograph letters addressed to various correspondents, most of whom are anonymous, undated: 51 in-8 volumes, approx. 105 pp. – 27 in-12 volumes, 55 pp. – 6 notes – 3 calling cards.
- To the President of the Republic. “The Minister of Public Instruction, in doing me the honor of coming to announce my promotion to the rank of Grand Officer in person, told me of the kind and flattering words you had spoken about me. But at the same time, he advised me not to speak of this promotion for forty-eight hours. So I contented myself with coming to register at the Élysée…”
– Yes. But none of that explains your long silence. Your jealousy must have been stung, certainly… And dreams! As if you were the only one who has them. I, too, dreamed of you—a long time ago—and it stung me, too. Anyway. You’re referring me to Laure, very kindly, but you’re referring me to her nonetheless. What she would want from me, I would want from you—such is the way of the world…” – [December 20, 1850]. To Mr. Ritt, to whom he sent a telegram from Bias regarding the staging of *Rigoletto*. “Anything you can do for Boas will be to my liking.” – “I did not find Madame Dumas in good health. Both his agitation and his weakness are increasing before our very eyes.” – “The mayor of St. Valéry-en-Caux has sent me, on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress, the petition I’m enclosing with this letter. Last summer I lived in that little seaport, which has suffered so much from cholera and has just been struck by yet another disaster. Mr. Anquetil believes I am in a position to deliver it myself to our sovereign…” – “My dear child. I cannot tell you where Colette and Jeannine are at the moment.” – “My whole house is a hospital. Mrs. Dumas is going from bad to worse. Colette has been in bed for 15 days… and the two children who came to stay for 48 hours are coughing in the living room, which has been turned into a dormitory…” – “I’ve heard about the Senate vote. I’m very happy for you, as you’ve led this campaign with such perseverance, energy, tact, and talent.” – In Montigny: “Could you give a small part to Mrs. Robin… who needs one for a concert… I highly recommend this lady to you.” – “Is the weather in Constantinople suitable for visiting the bazaars? If so, would you mind looking after my eldest daughter…” – “Dear Madam, I do not wish to leave without knowing how Esther spent the night. Please give me news of her. I am not writing to her directly so as not to burden her with reading my letters and replying to them.” – “Here is my small debt. Couldn’t the person who bought Gaillardet’s letter provide a copy certified by you? I may need this proof, since Mr. Gaillardet is dead. But perhaps it was the family who bought it.” – [1888]. “May I speak to you frankly? Neither you nor I have the authority, right, or jurisdiction to settle this Chambige matter. The court saw fit to convict; it now sees fit to pardon—that is none of our business…” – “You’ll get your copy. I can’t promise it will be very good, but you’ll get one!” – “I received [Phryné?]. But I’d prefer a nicer copy on Holland paper with the sequel printed separately…” – “Come have dinner if you’re not eating anywhere else.” – “Thank you, my dear friend; that’s the most interesting thing of all… Carnot’s letter informing your father of his appointment to the Legion of Honor and the date of it is very valuable.” – “Here I am! Here I am! But I still have plenty to do in Paris, where neither Madame Dumas nor the children are.” – “My dear friend, you know you’re ruining me. I bought some Ardennes and some St. Rambert on your advice—the former at 690, the latter at 737.50—and I’m losing 50 francs on the former and 77 francs on the latter…” – “Thank you very much, but I only buy complete manuscripts from my father.” – “Here is your note. The article was charming. Only Mademoiselle Colette thinks you didn’t flatter her enough… Tremble!” – “Publish it, my dear friend, but instead of an ‘X’ that could refer to anyone, you’ll have to find a character who has since passed away.”
– [1895]. “My dear neighbor. I’m told you’re looking for a cook. I’m sending you one who’s about to leave my house—she’s an excellent cook, very clean, very precise, very honest, very polite, perfect. So why am I letting her go? Because Madame Régnier, now that she’s become Madame Dumas, is keeping her own… who cared for her mother with rare devotion and who, to top it all off, is an excellent cook.”