COCTEAU JEAN: (1889-1963) French Writer, Playwright and Filmmaker. A fine A.L.S., `Jean´, one page, 4to, n.p. [Paris], 31<sup>st</sup> December 1953, to Serge Lifar, in French. Cocteau, deeply astonished, responds to his correspondent´s announcement, and states `Mon cher Serge, Cette histoire est incomprehensible. Ce que tu me demandes on l´a vu annoncé sur des affiches alors qu´on ne m´avait demandé que de faire partie du comité d´honneur. C´est non seulement incorrect mais d´une grande imprudence, parce que je suis encore très malade et que je ne serai plus parisien le 16´ (“My dear Serge, This story is incomprehensible. What you ask of me has been announced and published when I was only asked to be part of the honour committee. This is not only incorrect but very imprudent, because I am still very ill and will no longer be Parisian on the 16^th”) Before concluding Cocteau instructs Lifar and underlines `Il est donc indispensableque tu t´arranges pour qu´on mette un rectificatif. Je vais t´envoyer le texte du programme´ (“It is therefore essential that you arrange for a correction to be made. I will send you the text of the program”) Two small creases to the lower corners, Otherwise G to VG

 

Serge Lifar (1905-1986) Ukranian ballet Dancer and Choreographer. One of the greatest male ballet dancers of the 20^th century.