RENAULT LOUIS: (1877-1944) French Industrialist. A pioneer of the automobile industry and founder of Renault. Lengthy and interesting A.L.S., Louis, four pages, 8vo, Clermont-Ferrand, 3^rd February 1906, on the Hotel de l´Univers printed stationery, to his mistress Jeanne Hatto, in French. Renault sends a lengthy and warm letter to his mistress. Renault´s French text contains multiple mistakes as he stopped his studies early and based his business success on his intuition, imagination and pragmatism, and referring to his recent and his forthcoming trips, states in part `Il ne fait vraiment pas froid et la route est tres supportable derriere la glace même par ce villain temps. J´ai fait arrange la capote et il n´y a plus de courant d´air. Voici mes projets. Je compte partir Dimanche matin pour le Puy et serais surement Lundi matin chez Halger a Urrieux près St Etienne où je compte trouvé de tes nouvelles…. Si la grande Opera te lache, viens me retrouver… Si elle te lache pas la grande Opera, tache de la lacher vers le 15 Février. Mon gros choux chérie tu as ainsi que moi besoin d´un peu de repos´ (“It's really not cold and the road is very bearable behind the front car glass even with this bad weather. I have had the hood fixed and there is no more air flow. Here are my projects. I intend to leave on Sunday morning for Le Puy and will surely be by Monday morning at Halger in Urrieux near St Etienne where I expect to hear from you…. If the great Opera drops you, come and find me… If the great Opera don´t drop you, try to drop them around February 15th. My big beloved chouchou, you need a little rest as well as me”) Renault further sends his kisses, and refers to her lips, to his love for her and expects that she is behaving like an angel in Paris. Accompanied by the original Hotel de l´Univers printed stationery envelope, addressed in Renault´s hand, postmarked and stamped. Left corners clipped and small tear to the centre fold, none affecting the text or signature. G

 

Jeanne Hatto, an opera singer, was Renault´s mistress and long-time companion.