Description:

Alexandre Dumas Père ALS With Bonus Mademoiselle Rachel ALS

Three items illustrating the rich mid-nineteenth-century world of French arts and letters: a 1p autograph letter in French signed by preeminent novelist Alexandre Dumas Père (Sr.) (1802-1870); with a bonus 1p autograph letter in French signed by Elisabeth Félix (1821-1858), the classically trained stage actress of Swiss Jewish heritage more widely known by her stage name Mademoiselle Rachel. The third item is a half-page from "The Illustrated London News" depicting Mademoiselle Rachel's 1852 performance at the Théâtre Français. Individual condition issues will be elaborated below; else near fine. The largest piece measures 10.375" x 9."

The lot consists of:

1. A 1p autograph letter in French signed by Alexandre Dumas, Sr. as "Al. Dumas" at lower right. N.d., n.p. On bifold "Angoulême" stationery. Expected wear including even toning and isolating foxing and scuffs. The inner pages and outermost page are blank, with the last page torn in half but still attached. A small hole near the bottom of the first page does not affect any of the text. Else near fine. 5.375" x 8.375."

Alexandre Dumas, Sr. addresses this letter with interesting financial content to an unidentified intimate. Translated in part:

"Very dear,

I haven't responded to you because I don't know myself when I will leave.

I believe that I will leave today but I haven't yet received at 9 o'clock in the morning the last 500 f[rancs] that the Sindic [syndic, or "body corporate"] must send me…"

The letter further mentions the sum of 12,000 francs in relation to an account, and 4,800 francs in relation to one "Made[moiselle] Feraud."

2. A 1p autograph letter in French signed by Elisabeth Félix as "Rachel" at lower right. N.d., n.p. On bifold laid watermarked paper with Mademoiselle Rachel's motto, "Tout de Rien" encircling an "R" monogram at upper left. Expected light wear including flattened paper folds and partial pencil erasures. The inner pages and outermost page are blank. Else near fine. 5.25" x 8."

Mademoiselle Rachel regrets that illness prevents her from attending a rehearsal.

Translated in part:

"My dear Rebéna (?),

I have at this moment a pain so violent that it is impossible for me to hope to rehearse this morning. I had waited thinking that it would pass but it is in vain. I can't leave. Please apologize to my comrades…We can rehearse together at my house.

A thousand kisses,
Rachel."

3. The top half of the October 30, 1852 issue of "The Illustrated London News," featuring a half-page illustration of Mademoiselle Rachel in Classical garb, captioned: "Mdlle. Rachel Reciting the Ode Before the President, at the Theatre Francais." Other text portions of the magazine relate to Paris fashions, and current events in Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, and India. Scattered chipped edges and closed tears, some repaired. Else very good. Overall size: 10.375" x 9."

Alexandre Dumas, Sr. produced such novels as "The Three Musketeers" (1844) and "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1845), but his personal life was just as interesting. He was the grandson of a French aristocrat and a Haitian slave. This Romantic Period writer enjoyed tremendous success with dozens of published plays, travel accounts, and magazine articles in mid-nineteenth-century France. He then acted out his own adventures during the unification of the Italian states in 1861, when he established an Italian-language newspaper. In 2006, the English translation of Dumas’s unfinished work "The Last Cavalier" became a best-seller.

Mademoiselle Rachel was a beautiful actress who had taken Europe and the Americas by storm with her restrained performances of works by Racine, Molière, Corneille, Voltaire, and others. She died at age 36 of tuberculosis in early 1858.

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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September 6, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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