CELINE LOUIS FERDINAND: (1894-1961) French Novelist. Known as Celine, being his real name Destouches, a controversial writer because of his anti-Semitism. A very interesting A.L.S., with his initials `L.F.C´, two pages, folio, n.p. [Klarskovgaard], 4<sup>th</sup> August, n.y. [1948], to Charles Deshayes, in French.  Celine warns his correspondent about the content of his articles and explains why he doesn´t want to provoke the Ambassador, stating in part and underlining many comments `Je trouve votre opuscule joliment bien troussé et justicier à souhait - Mais attention - biaisez enc e qui concerne Charbonnière, sale petit charogne antillaise qui cité nommément, trop heureux de l´occasiom, sauterait aux Affaires Etrangères Danoises se declarer insulté et provoqué en qualité diplomatique et me derait transférer illico à Fresnes - surtout que ce document de sa main, réquisitoire effronté et criminel, je n´aurais jamais du le connaitre - Je ne l´ai eu en main que par indiscrétion´ ("I find your pamphlet nicely equipped in content and as vigilant as one could wish - But be careful - skew with regard to Charbonnière, dirty little West Indian carrion who, quoted by his name, too happy for the occasion, would jump to Danish Foreign Affairs department to declare himself insulted and provoked in his diplomatic capacity and I would be transferred immediately to Fresnes - especially since this document in his hand, a cheeky and criminal indictment, I should never have known it - I only had it in my hand by indiscretion") Céline further explains in more detail the delicate situation, saying `En principe c´est la police denoise qui m´a donné la liste de mes prétendus crimes - vous saisissez - et cette liste est suppose provenir du Parquet de Paris. Charbonnière.. a corsé le dossier, qui de son propre aveu ne contenait rien - dans la furie de Zèle épurateur… mais si je le cite, il s´estime insulté en tant qu´ambassadeur! C´est une affaire d´homme à homme à traiter entre lui et moi, plus tard s´il y a un plus tard, mais point sur le plan où nous sommes… Prisonnier sur parole - Pensez! Qui crée des difficultés au ministère des affaires étrangères du Pays qui l´héberge…´ ("In theory, it was the Danish police that gave me the list of my alleged crimes - you understand - and this list is supposed to come from the Paris government. Charbonnière.. has laced the file, which by his own admission contained nothing - in the fury of his purifier zeal… but if I quote him, he considers himself insulted as an ambassador! It's a man-to-man affair to be dealt with between him and me, later, if there's one later, but not where we are now… Prisoner on parole - Think! The one who creates difficulties to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country that hosts him…") Accompanied by the original oblong 4to envelope, addressed in Céline´s hand, postmarked and stamped. Small overall creasing, otherwise G to VG

 

Charles Deshayes, French Journalist. Deshayes admired Céline and with a lot of abnegation but also clumsiness, tried to help the exiled writer by providing him with documentation and rendering him many services. He wanted to help Céline with his pen by addressing his opponents belligerent and provocative wording of very poor quality which sometimes exasperated John. Céline often instructed him on how to write and proceed with articles.