PIAF EDITH: (1915-1963) French singer, one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century. A fine A.L.S. ...

PIAF EDITH: (1915-1963) French singer, one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century. A fine A.L.S., Tou petit hochet oiseau, ('Your little bird'), four pages, 8vo, n.p. (New York), 26th August 1955, to her first husband, Jacques Pills ('Mon petit bonhomme'), in French. Piaf laments the fact that she hasn't received a letter from her husband, surmising that he is perhaps busy with rehearsals and urging him to rest, commenting 'Everything is fine and everything will be fine! It is strange, but when I rest, I am almost more tired than when I work. You get used to doing nothing, and the smallest effort seems enormous, a lesson that I am relearning currently' and continuing 'I'll have my hands full with Versailles! Now you'll have to write to me in New York…..I can't wait to hear the latest from you about the public's reception in other cities in England. You never talk about that country, and I'd love to hear your impression. At any rate, I think the public is great. The other thing I'd like is for you to have an apartment in London where a cook could come to keep you on your diet. I wonder how you manage in restaurants. Be very, very careful! Sometimes I do worry, knowing how kind you are and how you would not want to put anybody out but rather eat nothing at all. And you know that is what you must absolutely not do! So take great care. I am no longer there to do the salting, and you may take advantage of that. Careful dear! Maybe you do the salting yourself now?' Piaf further writes 'I am a little bored, my darling, and when I don't hear from you, I get very sad, but I know how difficult it is when you are busy with rehearsals. Relax when you can, my sweet one, and think about how much I love you'. In concluding the singer provides her address in New York, care of Lew and Leslie Grade. A letter of good association and affectionate content and, as such, rare and desirable. EX Jacques Pills (1906-1970) French singer and actor, the first husband of Edith Piaf from 1952-57. Edith Piaf performed twice at New York's Carnegie Hall, in 1956 & 1957.