FRANCE Anatole (1844-1924) [AF 1896, 38e f]. - Lot 73

Lot n° 73
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1000 - 1200 EUR
FRANCE Anatole (1844-1924) [AF 1896, 38e f]. - Lot 73
FRANCE Anatole (1844-1924) [AF 1896, 38e f]. MANUSCRIT autograph signed "Anatole France", Notice sur l'Adolphe de Benjamin Constant; 24 leaves in-4 + 8 ff. in-8 (repaired with scotch tape on the first 2 ff.), all mounted on tabs, interleaved and bound in a vol. in-4, burgundy morocco, boards framed and gilt filleted, spine with 5 nerves adorned with foliage (hinges a little rubbed) (G. Mercier 1928). Beautiful text on Adolphe, intended for the OEuvres de Benjamin CONSTANT published by Lemerre in 1889. This Essay on Adolphe (original title, crossed out) summarizes the plot of the novel, paints a detailed portrait of its author, and highlights the parallels between the fictional character and his inventor. He analyzes in particular the relationship between Constant and Mme de Staël and Mme Lindsay, in whom he sees the model of Ellénore. He expresses doubts about Constant's sincerity when he denies being the model of the eponymous hero of his novel: "one can paint oneself without wanting to, without knowing it. It is even difficult for some writers not to paint themselves constantly and everywhere. Adolphe, ironic and chivalrous in front of the world, weak and cruel, but delicate for a woman, eager for love, impotent to love, intelligent and sterile, correct and clumsy, is indeed the man we see in Madame de Charrières' old salon, in Madame de Staël's castle, and at the Abbey in the Bois. Adolphe is Benjamin Constant, as Obermann is Senancour, as René is René"... Some pages are written by France on the back of printed announcements of her marriage to Valérie Guérin (1877). On the back of other pages, there is a list of the great writers of England and Germany (Chaucer, Shakespeare, Byron, Goethe, Heine, etc.) and a note (draft title?) on "Daphnis et Chloé. Suppt à Adolphe". Seven pages are written on the verso of other first draft autograph manuscripts where Armand Silvestre, Sully-Prudhomme, Claude Bernard, Berthelot, Darwin, etc. are mentioned. Provenance: former Pierre BELLANGER collection (ex-libris); then Philippe ZOUMMEROFF (April 28-29, 1999, n° 444).
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