Description:

George Sand
Nohant, France, August 4, 1863
George Sand ALS To Theatre Friend: "Stay careful, conscientious and hardworking"; Along With "Histoire De Ma Vie" & "Letters of George Sand"
ALS with Multi-volume book sets
A superb dealer's lot perfect for George Sand aficionados, French Romantic literary collectors, and Francophiles in general!

The highlight of the group is a 3pp autograph letter in French signed by George Sand as "G Sand" dated August 4, 1863 discussing the nature of the theatre. The grouping also includes two multi-volume sets of books: George Sand, "L'Histoire De Ma Vie, Tomes I-IV" in the original French; and an English translation of an excerpt of Sand's correspondence, "Letters of George Sand, Volumes I-III", for a total of seven handsome volumes. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition. The autograph letter signed is matted and framed in a double-sided standing table-top frame measuring 17.625" x 13.5" x 3.25." The larger set of three books measure 6.25" x 8.75" x 4.625" altogether.

The lot includes:

- A 3pp autograph letter in French signed by Amantine Lucile Dupin de Francueil (1804-1876), better known by her gender-bending pen name, George Sand, as "G Sand" at the conclusion of the third page. August 4, 1863. Nohant, France, at Sand's familial home. Written on bifold watermarked paper featuring Sand's blind-embossed initials "G S" on the first page. Expected wear including flattened paper folds and a few isolated discolored spots. Minor ink bleed-through mostly affecting the blanks between lines. The fourth page is blank. Matted and framed behind glass in a double-sided standing table-top frame, with an ebonized flared oblong base. The sight size of the letter is 10.375" x 8." The frame measures 17.625" x 13.5" x 3.25" overall.

Sand wrote this charming letter to her friend Joseph Tournade on August 4, 1863. [Sand's letter to Joseph Tournade is listed as Letter #10351 in the definitive catalog of Sand's correspondence: George Sand, "Correspondence, Tome XVIII, August 1863-December 1864" (Classiques Garnier, Édition de Georges Lubin, 2019), p. 13. See included image just for reference.]

The Tournade brothers - comprised of Joseph and Théodore Tournade - were regular guests at Nohant and appeared to have been musical and comedic actors in the commedia dell'arte or vaudeville tradition. They had recently established a theatrical troupe, presumably regional in scope, which performed a number of small plays. Sand's comments to Tournade about theatre and acting are interesting to consider, especially as the writer had turned to playwriting in later life as her major source of income.

Paragraph breaks have been added for greater legibility. Punctuation has been added for better clarity. Translated in full:

"My dear Tournade, I am quite enchanted by your success. For me, it was never in doubt, at least because the artists from Bordeaux whom I knew before didn't become Welches [possibly an Alsatian dialectical reference to "foreigners"; exact meaning is unclear]. It is nothing, bravo and luck! You have a real talent and if they let you take your ease on a larger stage your talent will only increase. Stay careful, conscientious and hardworking. You are so very talented, such an honest man and so good that I have no worry in this regard.

Yes, we are very happy. Also on our account because we have had a beautiful beginning at Nohant: the beginning in the form of a little boy, very strong and very vivacious, and Maurice is as obsessed with his child as you are with yours. It is our joy and our continual occupation. My dear daughter, the happy papa, and friend Manceau send you their best regards. We hope that your amiable wife and her small charming daughter are still well.

[The "new beginning" referred to the birth of Sand's first and only grandson, Marc Antoine Sand (July 14, 1863-July 21, 1864), the first child of Sand's son Maurice Dudevant (1823-1889) and his wife Lina Calamatta Dudevant (1842-1901). "Manceau" referred to Alexandre Manceau (1817-1865), Sand's longtime lover.]

Your brother [Théodore Tournade] goes to great lengths with his troupe, which is not the best in the world. Fortunately the theatre is enough otherwise and I will stay faithful to him to provide him with a good example, because he also, this brave Théodore, is my very charming boy.

A thousand best wishes and give us your news on any important occasion.

G Sand

Nohant 4 August 63."

The lot also includes Sand's memoirs in French, and an English translation of excerpts of her correspondence:

- A complete 4-volume set, "Histoire De Ma Vie, par George Sand, Nouvelle Édition" (Paris: Calmann-Lévy, Éditeur: 3, Rue Auber, 3, 1898-99), Tomes I-IV. Bound in 1/4 red leather binding with dappled boards, gilt-embossed spines, gilt upper textblocks, and marbleized endpapers. The retail sticker "Cupples & Schoenhof / 128 Tremont Street / Boston" is discretely affixed to the interior of the back cover of each volume. Expected wear including isolated scuffs, shelf wear, and minor loss to the covers. Minor even toning. Tome III has a partly torn half-title and title page. Tome I: 1-487; Table of Contents: 489-492. Tome II: 1-473; Table of Contents: 475-480. Tome III: 1-452; Table of Contents: 453-456. Tome IV: 1-492; Table of Contents: 493-499. The four books measure 5" x 7.375" x 4.75" altogether.

Sand's recollection of her family history, pre-dating her birth in 1804, and continuing well into her well-established literary life in the 1850s.

- A handsome first edition 3-volume set, editor and translator Raphaël Ledos de Beaufort, "Letters of George Sand" (London: Ward & Downey: 12, York Street, Covent Garden, W.C., 1886), Volumes I-III, with six illustrated portraits. Bound in sumptuous 3/4 red leather binding with marbleized covers, "Bound for Brentanos by Roach," gilt-embossed spines, and gilt upper textblocks. The marbleized endpapers were probably replaced. With the ownership signature "Anna B. Crouse" appearing on the front loose endpapers of each volume. Expected wear including isolated scuffs and shelf wear. Toning, a few stray pencil marks in the margins, and an isolated chipped edge or wrinkle within, else very good. Volume I: v-xl; 1-379; Index: 381-383. Volume II: 1-384; Index: 385-387. Volume III: 1-346; Index: 347-350. The three books measure 6.25" x 8.75" x 4.625" altogether.

An assortment of Sand's correspondence to family, friends, writers, actors, editors, politicians, and other contemporaries from 1812-1876 translated into English, with footnotes and a very helpful Alphabetical List of Letters index at the back of each volume.

Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition.

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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    Dimensions:
  • framed letter: 17.625" x 13.5" x 3.25"
  • Artist Name:
  • George Sand
  • Medium:
  • ALS with Multi-volume book sets

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