DE GAULLE CHARLES: (1890-1970) French General of World War II. Later President of the French Republic 1959-69. A.L.S., `C. de Gaulle´, two pages, small 4to, n.p., 4th April 1961, to General Ingold, on his printed letterhead bearing `Le Général De Gaulle´ to the heading, in French. De Gaulle deeply congratulates his correspondent on the occasion of his published work, stating in part `Votre livre “Samory sanglant et magnifique” brasse et fait revivre une histoire assez méconnue, mais combien saisissante! Pour l´écrire, comme vous l´avez fait, il fallait d´abord du talent mais aussi la connaissance profonde des gens, des lieux, et des choses de l´Algérie. Vous avez ceci et cela…´ (Translation: `Your book “Samory sanglant et magnifique” (“Bloody and Magnificent Samory”) brings to life a story that is quite unknown, but combines strikingly! To write it, as you did, it needed talent first, but also a deep knowledge of the people, places, and things of Algeria. You have this and that..”). Accompanied by the original envelope, postmarked and stamped, and addressed in De Gaulle´s hand. The letter has been very neatly and lightly affixed only to the left border to a larger card. The envelope has been affixed to the same card behind the letter. G to VG

 

General François Ingold (1894-1980) was the military Commander of the Niger-Dahomey-Togo Niamey forces. He participated in World War One and was injured. He joined General de Gaulle in 1940. As Officer of the FFL he participated in the Liberation.

 

Ingold´s work Samory Sanglant et Magnifique was published by Scorpion Editions, and reports on Samory Touré (1830-1900), founder of the ephemeral empire Wassoulou, which extent included from the south of what is today Mali to the mid-Guinea. Samory Touré fought harshly against the military occupation of the French and English, becoming a hero of the ani-colonialism.