Description:

Mata Hari
[Paris, France], Monday, n.d. but ca. 1911-1917
Rare Mata Hari ALS From Her Love Nest Outside Paris
ALS
A 1p autograph letter in French signed by Mata Hari (1876-1917) as "Mata-Hari" near the bottom. "Monday," ["lundi"]. N.d. but ca. 1911-1917. Written at Mata Hari's residence outside of Paris, France. Inscribed on watermarked stationery with Mata Hari's address as "11, Rue Windsor/ Neuilly-St.-James" embossed at the letterhead. Expected wear including flattened paper folds. The right edge is slightly deckled, and there are isolated traces of adhesive found at the edges. A former collector has pencil-inscribed a corner of the verso. Else near fine. 7" x 8.75."

Though this letter lacks a definite date, it probably dates from the waning days of Mata Hari's career as a world-celebrated exotic dancer. Born Margaretha Zelle in the Netherlands, she was a mail-order bride who relocated to the Dutch East Indies (modern day Indonesia) in the 1890s. She moved to Paris in 1903, where she worked as a model and circus performer before refashioning herself as "Mata-Hari": a Javanese princess whose sensual, skin-baring dance performances gained her instant celebrity as well as many lovers.

Mata Hari wrote this note to an unidentified correspondent from her lover's nest at 11, Rue Windsor in Neuilly-Saint-James, the wealthy Parisian suburb. This pied-à-terre was financed by one of Mata Hari's lovers, the Parisian banker Felix Xavier Rousseau, after 1911; Mata Hari lived there going by the name "Madame Rousseau." Was the gentleman she addressed in this letter a journalist seeking an interview, or a lover seeking an assignation?

Transcribed in full:

"lundi

Monsieur.

Je desire beaucoup avoir un [sic] entrevue avec vous. Soit que je vienne vous voir, ou que vous preferez [sic] venir chez moi.

Avec l'expression de mes sentiments distingués

Mata-Hari."

Translated in full:

"Monday

Sir.

I very much want to have an interview with you. Either I come to see you, or you prefer to come to my house.

With the expression of my distinguished sentiments

Mata-Hari."

Mata Hari was accused of spying for the German government during World War I. She was executed by a French firing squad at the age of 41 in October 1917.

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: 7" x 8.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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