Description:

Emile Zola Superb signature

A small signed card by French author Emile Zola. Measuring 3.25" x 2", N.p., n.d. Signed "bien à vous Emile Zola" on a small card with the typed inscription "French Novelist who helped free Dreyfuss." With light toning and foxing. Boldly signed.

Emile Zola (1840-1902) was one of the most well-known French writers of his day. The "Dreyfus Affair" referred to the criminal trial of Alfred Dreyfus (1859-1935), a Jewish artillery officer who had been falsely convicted of conspiring with German agents in 1894. Evidence in the case was scant and of questionable quality, but nevertheless, Dreyfus was convicted of treason by a secret military court martial in 1895 and deported to Devil's Island, a remote French penal colony off the South American coast. Zola believed the Dreyfus Affair revealed the extent of Anti-Semitism in France, and in January 1898, he published "J'Accuse…!", an essay in which he likened Anti-Semitism to a national sickness that eventually leads to the death and decomposition of society.

Consequently, Zola was convicted of libel in late February 1898, just a little after one month after the publication of the article, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment and a 3,000 franc fine. He fled to England to avoid punishment, but "J'Accuse…!" did exactly what it was supposed to accomplish. Bowing to public pressures, the French military re-tried Alfred Dreyfus in 1899. Though he was again found guilty, he was pardoned and allowed to serve under house arrest in France. In 1906, Dreyfus was completely exonerated and awarded the Legion of Honor medal. Zola's "J'Accuse…!" is even today heralded as one of the most courageous stands ever taken against a corrupt establishment.

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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February 1, 2023 11:00 AM EST
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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