Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 173
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11 image_12
Belle Époque French Language Scrapbook Relating to Paris Opera Managing Director Paul Stuart
Belle Époque French Language Scrapbook Relating to Paris Opera Managing Director Paul Stuart
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11 image_12
Description:

Belle Époque French Language Scrapbook Relating to Paris Opera Managing Director Paul Stuart

A 80+pp spiral bound softcover scrapbook containing hundreds of French language letters, calling cards, telegrams, newspaper clippings, and newspaper articles relating to the death of Paul Stuart (ca. 1861-1914), an important French opera singer and theatre manager, ca. 1913-1924. The scrapbook contains nearly 400 archival items in mostly very good condition. Items are affixed to scrapbook pages using mounting corners, glue, or tape. About one half of the letters and one tenth of the calling cards have become detached from the scrapbook pages but are included. Desiccated tape strips are found along the edges of some pieces. Newspaper printed items show expected toning, and are annotated with colored pencil. A past collector has made scattered notations throughout. The scrapbook, with expected wear to the covers, measures 9.5" x 12.5" x .625." 

Paul Stuart was a French opera singer, poet, staging director, and managing director at several prestigious European opera houses including the Opéra de Paris (Paris, France); the Théâtre National de l'Opéra-Comique (Paris, France); the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (Brussels, Belgium); and the Théâtre de Gand (Ghent, Belgium). Stuart died suddenly of kidney failure on February 1, 1914, shortly after accepting an appointment as managing director of the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux. He was in his early 50s and left a widow, Marguerite, and four daughters.

Most of Stuart's professional life took place within the Belle Époque, during a flowering of French culture dating from 1880 to the advent of World War I in August 1914. Stuart collaborated with the best opera singers, musicians, librettists, playwrights, artists, talent agents, directors, and producers of the European, North African, Middle Eastern, and South American opera circuit. The archive represents a collection of tributes and condolences sent to Marguerite Stuart from Stuart's family members, friends, and colleagues.

Paul Stuart reached the apex of his significant directorial career between 1908-1914, when he served as managing director of the Opéra de Paris, relocated in 1875 to a 1,900-seat theatre headquartered at the sumptuous Palais Garnier. There, Stuart oversaw such productions as Wagner's "Twilight of the Gods," "The Rhine Gold," and "Parsifal," as well as pieces by Hector Berlioz and Camille Saint-Saëns. Before transitioning to theatre administration, Stuart had performed as a second tenor on the comedic opera and general opera circuit. He performed in provincial theatres in Lyon, Toulouse, Montpelier, and Marseilles, and as far afield as Algiers, Alexandria, Mauritius, and Buenos Aires. Stuart served Sultan Abdul Hamid for three years in Constantinople. In continental France, Stuart was celebrated as the first French tenor to portray the character of Mime in Richard Wagner's opera "Siegfried" at Rouen in 1900. Stuart's interpretation of Wagnerian epics--especially his thoughtful analysis of the characterization, plot, stage scenery, costume, and production--were particularly admired by his contemporaries.

The lot is comprised of:

1. Over 150 international press newspaper clippings reporting on Stuart's death and his funeral, and reflecting on his professional career. Stuart's death was widely noted in France (press agencies in Amiens, Angoulême, Arcachon, Bordeaux, Charleville, Limoges, Lyon, Marseilles, Nantes, Orléans, Paris, Pau, Reims, Rouen, Saintes, Toulon, Toulouse, Tours); and Belgium (press agencies in Brussels, Charleroi, Ghent, Liège, Rochefort); as well as mentioned in Swiss (Geneva); German (Berlin, Dresden); Luxembourger (Luxembourg), Egyptian (Cairo); and American (New York City) newspapers.

The following is representative of a typical obituary found in the scrapbook; it was published in the Parisian newspaper "Le Voltaire" on February 3, 1914.

Translated as:

"Death of Paul Stuart.

M. Paul Stuart, the devoted and excellent managing director of the Opéra [de Paris], died yesterday, carried off by a sudden attack of uremia from which he was suffering for several days.

First a singer, he became one of our most brilliant managing directors, passing successively to the stages of Bordeaux, Rouen, to the Opéra-Comique and to la Monnaie of Brussels. It was in this last post that M[onsieurs André Messager (1853-1929) and Leimistin Broussan (1858-1958), co-directors of the Opéra de Paris] found him in order to confide in him the functions of managing director [of the Opéra de Paris], to which he acquitted himself, to the satisfaction of all, as a hard worker and a man of taste.

Most recently, he was named director of the theatre of Bordeaux, and it was while preparing for his next season that death suddenly stuck him.

Funeral services for M. Paul Stuart will take place tomorrow Wednesday, a 10 o'clock, at the funeral home at 359, rue Saint-Martin."

2. Two lengthier newspaper articles about Stuart's funeral cortege and ceremony, which took place in Paris on February 3, 1914.

Mourners at Stuart's funeral included political, entrepreneurial, and entertainment notables of the day, such as André Messager (1853-1929), co-director of Opéra de Paris; Marius Gabion (1867-1945), general administrator of Opéra de Paris; Henri Büsser (1872-1973), orchestra conductor of Opéra de Paris; opera singer Madame Jane Henriquez, and the Algerian-born magicians the Isola Brothers.

3. Over 100 autographed letters signed, and a few typed letters signed, by various individuals expressing shock and regret at Stuart's death. There are condolence notes from family, friends, and dozens of Stuart's professional contacts.

An excerpt from a representative letter is from Lucien Lambert (1858-1945), a French pianist of Creole descent born in New Orleans, who wrote in part: "Madame, I read in the newspaper news of the death of my dear friend Stuart! I send to you and to your children the expression of my sadness and my sincere regrets!"

Also, from Marie Besson, an artist and protegee of Sarah Bernhardt: "Believe me, dear Madame, that I feel the cruel bereavement that struck you and I will do my best to go to the funeral of M. Stuart if I can and I assure you of my profound sympathy…"

4. Over 100 calling cards from mourners, many pre-printed with calligraphic names and addresses but enhanced with handwritten notes. A few of the calling cards are pencil inscribed, presumably by Stuart's widow, with notes such as "flowers," indicating what gifts had been sent by the card bearer.

A typical example of one of these calling cards was sent by "Les Artistes de l'Orchestre de l'Opéra." The handwritten note added below is translated as: "[Artists of the Orchestra of the Opera] present to Madame Stuart their condolences, stirred by the loss that stuck and removed from them an artist missed by them, [and] the spouse wept over by her…"

5. Over 20 telegrams from individuals communicating their distress and sympathy, including this representative message from one Jacques Blanche (translated): "Had a telegram very late yesterday couldn't believe such a great misfortune are dismayed = we share your grief = impossible to get permission to come to the interment if you have any need whatever service telegraph. Courage = Letter to follow we embrace [you] = Jacques Blanche."

6. Three miscellaneous items including (with translated titles): a 7pp booklet entitled "Decorative Arts of the Theatre: The Renaissance of Parsifal," discussing Stuart's upcoming production of "Parsifal" at the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux; a 2pp printed speech of a eulogy with handwritten annotations entitled "At the Grave of Paul Stuart"; and a 3pp typed manuscript entitled "Prophetic Verses," (perhaps an original poem by Stuart?)

A few of Stuart's famous well-wishers included the following, who either sent their calling cards, telegrams, or condolence letters to Stuart's widow:

Opera, Theatre & Early Film

- Gabriel Astruc (1864-1938), French theatre manager, agent, journalist, and playwright

- Jean Bourbon (1875-1948), French baritone opera
singer

- Henri Cain (1857-1937), French librettist

- Lyse Charny (1890-1950), French contralto opera singer

- Maurice Dutreix (1884-1932), French tenor opera singer

- Charles Fontaine (1878-ca. 1955), Belgian tenor opera singer at the Opéra de Paris

- Charles Lamy (1857-1940), French theatre actor

- Mariette Mazarin (1874-1952), French soprano opera singer

- Jean-Baptiste Noté (1858-1922), Belgian baritone opera singer

- Paul-Adrien Ray, choral director at Opéra de Paris

- Jean de Reszke (1850-1925), Polish tenor opera singer

- Renée Richard (1858-1947), French opera singer

- Amédée Sujol (1858-ca.1928), French tenor opera singer at the Opéra-Comique

- Laurent Swolfs (1868-1954), Belgian tenor opera singer

- Lucien Walter (1866-1945, French film actor

Art, Music & Literature

- Marie Bresson, artist and protege of Sarah Bernhardt, who painted a portrait of Bernhardt in her famous role of the "Lady of the Camellias"

- Lucien Lambert (1858-1945), a French pianist of Creole descent born in New Orleans

- Félix Naquet (died 1917), French poet

- Guy de Téramond (1869-1957), French playwright, poet, and novelist

- Adolphe Thalasso (1858-1919), author and translator

- Paul Vidal (1863-1931), French composer of the Opéra-Comique

Miscellaneous

- Auguste Allemane (1870-1955), Chief of Staff of the Mayor of Bordeaux

- Count Moïse de Camondo (1860-1935), French banker and art collector of Sephardic Jewish heritage born in Turkey

- Henri Deutsche de la Meurthe (1846-1919), a wealthy French philanthropist who was also President of the French Society of the Friends of Opera

Remembrances were also sent from colleagues at the Opéra de Paris, the Théâtre de Gaîté Lyrique, the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, the Grand Théâtre de Genève, the Théâtre de Monte Carlo, the Parisian Music Conservatory, the London Opera House, and the Algiers Opera House. Stuart's friends and acquaintances also included regular folks, like lawyers, doctors, soldiers, priests, singing teachers, and umbrella manufacturers.

A remarkable archive relating to the Belle Époque and the flourishing of music, opera, and culture during the Second Empire.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

June 30, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000