MARINETTI FILIPPO TOMMASO: (1876-1944)

MARINETTI FILIPPO TOMMASO: (1876-1944)

‘My book, which I believe is my best, will please you on the one hand:
an epic caricature of the papacy and Christianity, but will displease you on the other:
an exaltation of war’

 

MARINETTI FILIPPO TOMMASO: (1876-1944) Italian poet and art theorist, founder of the Futurist movement, best known as the author of the first Futurist Manifesto (1909) and as a co-author of the Fascist Manifesto (1919). A fine L.S., F T Marinetti, three pages, large 4to, Milan, n.d. (annotated 1912 in pencil in an unidentified hand), to Gustave Kahn ('Mon tres cher Gustave') on the attractive red printed stationery of Movimento Futuristai, in French. Marinetti states that he is delighted to learn that his correspondent's wife has recovered, although remarks 'Quant a vous, il est probable que vous ayez repris, en desobeissant a Mme. Kahn, vos vilaines habitudes de fumeur enrage! Est-ce exact?' (Translation: 'As for you, it is likely that you have resumed, by disobeying Mrs. Kahn, your ugly habits of rabid smoking! Is it correct?'), adding that he often talks of Kahn and declaims his Au jour fermant to his friends, the futuristic painters. Marinetti also informs his friend that he has already sent him a copy of Monoplan du Pape ('The Pope's Aeroplane'), and will send a second if the first is lost ('Comment avez-vous pu supposer un oubli de ma part?') (Translation: 'How could you suppose an oversight on my part?), further observing 'Mon livre, qui est je crois mon meilleur, vous plaira d'un cote: caricature epique de la papaute et du christianisme, mais vous deplaira de l'autre: exaltation de la guerre' (Translation: 'My book, which I believe is my best, will please you on the one hand: an epic caricature of the papacy and Christianity, but will displease you on the other: an exaltation of war') and asking Kahn to write to him when he has completely read it, 'Je tiens à savoir exactement votre jugement' (Translation: 'I want to know exactly your judgement'). A letter of good content and excellent association. A few very small, extremely minor holes to the final page, close to, but not affecting, the signature. VG

Guatave Kahn (1859-1936) French Symbolist poet and art critic, a primary influence on Marinetti.

Le Monoplan du Pape was a highly anti-Roman Catholic and anti-Austrian verse novel published by Marinetti in 1912.