Bidspirit auction | NADAR: (1820-1910)

NADAR: (1820-1910) - NADAR: (1820-1910) Gaspard-Felix Tournachon. French photographer, caricaturist and balloonist, the first person to take aerial photographs (1858). A.L.S., Nadar , two pages (written to the first and final sides of the bifolium), 8vo, Paris, 22nd November 1905, to Pauline Becker, in French. Nadar commences by enquiring after his correspondent´s migraine, and hopes that it has gone away, and continues to refer to the poor state of affairs concerning a Madame Méta, ´Croiriez-vous que l´infortunée est si mal guidée que le Comité de la Vente - qui devait avoir lieu l´an dernier - ne s´est même pas encore réuni ni seulement constitué ou complété´ (Translation: ´would you believe that the unfortunate lady is so ill-advised that the Sales Committee – which was due to take place last year – has not even met yet, nor has it been formed or finalised?´ ), further explaining ´Les meilleurs noms de la peinture s´y étaient déjà et tout d´abord inscrits, les Détaille, Lhermitte, Carrière &. Mais il a été décidé d´y adjoindre quelques personnes ”du monde”. Comme il y a déjà des dames inscrites, j´attends Madame Ménard Dorian pour lui demander son adhésion. C´est vous dire si nous serions heureux de la vôtre...(?)´ (Translation: ´The leading names in painting had already signed up from the very outset: Détaille, Lhermitte, Carrière and others. But it was decided to include a few people ‘from high society’. As there are already some ladies on the list, I am waiting for Madame Ménard Dorian to ask her to join. That gives you an idea of how delighted we would be to have you on board...(?)´ ). Nadar adds that now everything is back in place things should run like clockwork, although cautions ´Mais, voilà: cette malheureuse vente avait déjà été tout de mois retardée que nous n´avions nous-mêmes pu continuer le subside mensuel trop lourd pour nous, - et alors aujourd´hui plus que jamais et jusqu´à cette vente, ces pauvres gens....´ (Translation: ´But here’s the thing: this unfortunate sale had already been delayed for so long that we ourselves were unable to continue with the monthly subsidy, which was too much of a burden for us – and so now, more than ever, and until this sale takes place, these poor people…´ ) and further provides the address of Madame Méta in Montmartre, Paris. In a postscript Nadar also writes ´Pour Mademoiselle May, l´inclusion, si elle ne dédaigne en sa collection de simples photographies. Mais l´une curieuse par le laconisme de l´adresse, surtout de Bruxelles à Paris´ (Translation: ´For Mademoiselle May, the enclosed item, if she does not disdain including it in her collection of simple photographs. But one that is curious for the brevity of the address, especially from Brussels to Paris´ ). Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Nadar. The letter and envelope are heavily damp stained, largely to the corners, affecting the text and signature (which all remain legible). Only FR Edouard Détaille (1848-1912) French academic painter and military artist. Léon Lhermitte (1844-1925) French naturalist painter and etcher. Eugène Carrière (1849-1906) French Symbolist artist of the fin-de-siècle period.