SAINT-EXUPÉRY (Antoine de) - Lot 431

Lot 431
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Estimation :
5000 - 6000 EUR
SAINT-EXUPÉRY (Antoine de) - Lot 431
SAINT-EXUPÉRY (Antoine de) Autograph letter signed. [Orconte (Marne), between December 1939 and April 1940]. 4 p. on a double f. in-8 (20,5 x 16 cm) of laid paper, black ink. Very nice unpublished autograph letter from Saint-Exupéry to Jane Lawton. Assigned on November 26, 1939 to Strategic Reconnaissance Group II/33, based in Orconte, he remained there until June 9, 1940. During this period, Saint-Exupéry developed a relationship with Jane Lawton in New York, where she had obtained a position at the French Consulate through her. Very little remains of this secret relationship (see Librairie Faustroll, catalogue for the 2020 Grand Palais exhibition). "Many things touch me in you. One of them is undoubtedly security. It is to find yourself similar to yourself - as no doubt I am also found. Life scatters and leads me astray. And I cross deserts of silence. But I know how to recognize mine. I may be an eternal prodigal son - but I need so much to know myself in the world of safe havens. I travel in my mind and one fine evening I think I recognize the landscape - and the house between the trees - and I come to knock on the tiles: - Voilà! It's me! / But where did you come from, they thought you were dead! / They didn't think I was dead at all, I still have my place at the table. [...] You see I'm at war! We're the only ones, no doubt, in the "great reconnaissance" air force who know about the war and who are losing crews. And I can, of course, not come back from it. [...] Because I, if I were God, would not allow anguish. If I were God, I would grant a little more bliss. Do you know that I would like to see you again?". You can reach: A typed telegram sent by Saint-Exupéry on August 24, 1939, from New York to Miss Lawton: "Have ticket to China but am obliged today to go back to France because of the international situation. Stop. Hope to see you in two weeks in Las Vegas and thank you for an affection that has helped me so much. Believe [sic] my inaltera
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