Description:

Alphonse Daudet & Julia Daudet Archive, 4 Pieces Incl. "The Last Lesson" Copyright

A small French-language archive relating to French writer Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) and his wife Julia Daudet (1844-1940), herself an accomplished writer, literary critic, and salon host. The group consists of a rent receipt signed by Alphonse Daudet in the role of Paris landlord; two legal documents pertaining to copyright of Daudet's short story "The Last Lesson" signed and initialed by Julia Daudet; and a print of Alphonse Daudet featuring his facsimile signature. Overall very good to near fine. Four pieces total. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, #1380421, from JG Autographs (Danvers, Massachusetts).

The lot includes:

1. A "Quittance de Loyer" [rent receipt] signed by Daudet as "Alph. Daudet" in purple ink near the right edge. July 11, 1891. [Paris, France.] The partly printed and partly manuscript document confirms that Daudet has received 535 francs and one centime in rent from a tenant named Mme. Meullié for the month of July 1891; Mme. Meullié resided in an apartment at No. 86, Rue Cardinet in the 17th arrondissement of Paris (Right Bank). Bearing a 10-centime "Received and Discharged Receipt" revenue stamp along the bottom edge, and docketed at upper left. Expected wear including isolated closed tears, wrinkles, and staple holes, else near fine. 8.375" x 5.25."

2-3. Two 2pp documents, being clerical copies of a legal agreement dated February 3, 1915 made between "Madame Vve [Veuve] Daudet" (Daudet's widow, Julia Daudet) and Max Maurey (1866-1947), a French playwright and theatrical producer, regarding rights for one of Daudet's most famous short stories, "La Dernière Classe" (English title: "The Last Lesson.") Julia Daudet has signed each document as "JA Daudet" on the second page at top, and additionally initialed an amendment to the terms as "JAD" on the first pages at lower left. Max Maurey has signed each document as "Read and approved / Max Maurey" on the second page; and initialed on the first pages as "M.M." On watermarked paper with a "République Française" revenue hand-stamps and blind-embossed seals at upper left. Expected wear including flattened folds, else near fine. 6.75" x 9.75."

Daudet's short story "La Dernière Classe" tells the story of a boy named Franz living in Alsace-Lorraine in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, whose teacher breaks down after explaining that they are now part of Germany and can no longer communicate in French. The legal contracts concern profit division; and a time frame of 3 years in which Maurey agrees to produce a play based on Daudet's story.

4. A print of Alphonse Daudet after T. Johnson, possibly a modern reproduction, depicting a bust portrait of the author showcasing his dramatic forked beard. Daudet's facsimile signature is printed along the bottom margin. One small surface abrasion is located at the center of Daudet's head. Trimmed to an overall size of 5.375" x 8.25."

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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