Alexandre DUMAS fils (1824-1895). L.A.S., [1888], to Rainulphe, 5th Marquis of Osmond; 8 pages in-4. Letter-preface for Reliques et impressions, études, silhouettes et croquis (1888) by the Marquis d'Osmond (1828-1891). Draft with numerous erasures and corrections (with interlinear deciphering on the first leaf), in the form of a letter to his friend, "a gentleman of good mark". They have been linked for thirty years: "I love your original, independent, chivalrous spirit, and your generous heart to the point of prodigality, to the point of imprudence, making ingrates, sometimes suffering, never regretting, always hoping [...] You only remembered your genealogy to remain faithful to the great traditions at the same time as to the great demands of your race. Then you wanted to be of your time and of all times, by something that neither monarchy, nor republic, nor revolutions, nor wars can destroy, by intelligence. You held the nobility of talent and character as the equal of the other and you gave yourself to all things of the spirit and of art, not as a great lord who protects, but as a volunteer who fights. You have sought out the company of great artists and writers, taking pride in having them as your teachers and friends. All have loved you, love you and [...] know that you are yourself, in the art of music, an artist to be reckoned with"... Etc.