VALERY PAUL: (1871-1945) French poet, essayist and philosopher. A fine A.L.S., P ...

VALERY PAUL: (1871-1945) French poet, essayist and philosopher. A fine A.L.S., P Valery, one page, small 8vo (folding letter card stationery), n.p. (Paris), n.d. (´Samedi´; 26th July 1919), to Andre Breton (´Cher Breton´), in French. Valery writes a warm and complimentary letter, partially composed in the third person, in part, ´Monsieur V est etonamment content de votre volume. Qui l´eut dit? Devient il fou comme ces jeunes gens de Litterature? Mais figurez vous qu´il se trouve tres a l´aise et tres ressemblant entre le pole Mallarme et le pole Rimbaud de votre univers. Le fait des comparaisons. Il se voit l´homme qui ferme la chaine des electricites, et tend le doigt tout charge, vers l´autre corps, avec attente des etincelles. Il en tire bien d´autres. Mais cette place mesuree et la pression psychologique de l´aiguille de la pendule le font vous quitter´ (Translation: ´Mr V is extremely pleased with your volume. Who knew? Is he going mad like those young people at Litterature? But you can imagine that he finds himself very comfortable and very similar between the Mallarme and Rimbaud poles of your universe. The fact of the comparisons. He sees himself as the man who closes the chain of electricity, and stretches out his finger, all charged up, towards the other body, waiting for the sparks. He draws many others. But this measured place and the psychological pressure of the clock's hand makes him leave you´). In a postscript Valery further adds ´Je n´ai jamais remercie Aragon de sa dedicace mais c´est faute de savoir ou git ce royaume´ (Translation: ´I've never thanked Aragon for his dedication, but it's because I don't know where that kingdom lies´). Hand addressed by Valery to the verso. A letter of good literary content and excellent association. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG

Andre Breton (1896-1966) French writer and poet, the co-founder, leader and principal theorist of surrealism. Breton´s Mont de piété was published in 1919, and in the March of the same year he launched the review Litterature with Louis Aragon and Philippe Soupault.

Stephane Mallarme (1842-1898) French symbolist poet.

Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) French poet known for his transgressive and surreal themes and for his influence on modern literature and arts.

Louis Aragon (1897-1982) French poet, one of the leading voices of the surrealist movement in France. Aragon had dedicated his poem Pour demain to Valery upon its publication in Litterature in June 1919. The poem was also published in Feu de joie, the first collection of Aragon´s poems, published in 1920.