ROSTAND EDMOND: (1868-1918) French poet and dramatist whose works include Cyrano de Bergerac (1897). A.L.S., Edmond ...

ROSTAND EDMOND: (1868-1918) French poet and dramatist whose works include Cyrano de Bergerac (1897). A.L.S., Edmond Rostand, one page (folding Carte Pneumatique fermee), small 8vo, n.p., 20th June 1903, to Emile Bergerat ('Mon cher confrere'), in French. Rostand thanks his correspondent for their article 'dont le debut (et particulierement une phrase exquise) m'a ete au coeur' (Translation: 'the beginning of which (and particularly an exquisite phrase) struck a chord with me'), explaining that he wanted to come and shale Bergerat's hand but was forced to stay in bed for four days and further remarking 'Croyez a ma tres vive gratitude a mon admiration pour les lyriques et fantaisistes poemes (oh, les belles ballades! Il y en a une digne d'etre mise a cote des Neiges d'antan! Celle des amis morts!) que vous n'avez fait l'honneur de m'envoyer - et a ma plus cordiale amitie' (Translation: 'Believe in my very deep gratitude to my admiration for the lyrical and fanciful poems (oh, the beautiful ballads! There is one worthy of being put next to Les Neiges d'antan! That of dead friends!) that you did the honour to send me - and to my most cordial friendship'). Hand addressed by Rostand to the verso. Slightly irregularly torn to several edges and with two small tape stains to the upper and lower edges, FR Emile Bergerat (1845-1923) French poet, playwright and essayist. Francois Villon's poem the Ballade des dames du temps jadis, which celebrates famous women in history and mythology, is particularly famous for its interrogative refrain Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan ('Oh where are the snows of yesteryear!).