Description:

Albert Camus 2 ALSs In a Lovely Display

Two autograph letters in French signed by Nobel Prize-winning French writer Albert Camus (1913-1960), both times as "Albert Camus." The letters flank a high-quality photo reproduction showing Camus at his work desk at the center, the trio of items displayed matted behind glass in a sleek gold-finished frame. Not examined out of the frame. The overall size of the frame is 27.125" x 14.75" x .875." Accompanied by a smaller frame consisting of English translations of Camus's letters. The smaller frame was once hung from a set of hooks located along the bottom of the larger frame; the set is now incomplete, and the smaller frame is detached but included. Both are framed by Goodspeed's Book Shop, Inc. (Boston, Massachusetts.) Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from R&R Enterprises Autograph Auctions (Amherst, New Hampshire.)

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 1p autograph letter signed by Camus as "Albert Camus" at the center. Dated May 25, 1959, n.p. Inscribed on a single leaf of white paper. Expected wear including slight to moderate ink fading and light paper folds, else near fine. The sight size of the letter is 6.5" x 9.375."

Camus wrote this letter to an unidentified correspondent regarding an unknown literary project, translated in part as: "I am a little embarrassed to tell you that no manuscript has ever been refused to me. I cannot therefore satisfy your desire. But your project is really amusing and I wish it good success…"

Camus had been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957, becoming the second-youngest prizewinner in that category, at age 44. In addition to writing searing fiction, Camus also had extensive editorial and publishing experience. He had edited "Combat," an outlawed French Resistance newspaper, as well as "Paris-Soir," in the 1940s. Camus's letter about manuscripts should probably be read within the context of publication. Camus would be killed in a car accident seven months later, on January 4, 1960, at the age of 46.

2. A 1p autograph letter signed by Camus as "Albert Camus" near the bottom. Dated January 30, [n.y.] but likely either 1950 or 1951, when Camus was recuperating at Cabris, in the French Riviera. Inscribed on a single leaf of cream paper. Expected surface wear including light folds, else near fine. The sight size of the letter is 6.5" x 9.375."

Camus addressed this letter to an unknown fellow author. In it, he provided constructive criticism concerning the writer's unpublished manuscript, and even volunteered to help it get published. Translated in past as: "I read your book with much pleasure. Beneath its voluntarily modest form, I found much intelligence and sensitivity. I think that the characters of Françoise, of Pierre and of Claire appear to be perfectly successful…Do you want me to help you publish it?..."

Albert Camus's writing is underpinned by absurdist philosophy. Sharing some similarities with both nihilism and existentialism, absurdism is, in simplistic terms, the belief that humans are doomed to seek value or meaning in an arbitrary and cruel world. Camus's absurdist belief system is on full display in such works as "The Stranger" and "The Myth of Sisyphus," both published in 1942.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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