Edgar DEGAS (1834-1917). Autograph poem signed, to José Maria de Hérédia, [circa 1889-1890]; 1 page in-4. Rare sonnet of the painter (according to Paul Valéry, he wrote about twenty of them; eight were published). It is the introductory poem of the posthumous edition of the eight Sonnets by Degas in a limited edition (20 copies), printed on June 25, 1914, by Alexandre Gaspard-Michel [and the publisher Alexis Rouart]) The sonnet is dedicated to José-Maria de HEREDIA. The present manuscript bears the words (not reproduced in the collection): "Remember a bet made with our friend de Nittis". "You won't flay a Marsyas by inches; One night, he was so envious of playing that he felt the urge to play. Before clearing out his ordinary life, He fucks and gives you the sacred tool of the game...".