Jean PAULHAN. 10 L.A.S., [1954, to Robert Chatté]; 11pages in-8 on nrf letterhead and 3pages in-12. Curious correspondence about the Histoire d'O. [Robert Chatté, a friend of Paulhan, was a bookseller specializing in erotica. This is mainly the manuscript of the famous novel, published by Jean-Jacques Pauvert in 1954 and preceded by a preface by Paulhan, signed Pauline Réage, pseudonym of Dominique Aury]. Paulhan would like to find a copy of Les Rêves et l'art de les diriger by Hervey Saint-Denis. - "We forgot yesterday (I was so dismayed by Les Rêves envolés) to talk about O. Please tell me as soon as possible what you're going to do and whether the author (who has come back to see me) will be able to touch something right now: she could use it"... - He proposes an exchange to the buyer of Les Rêves: a manuscript by Larbaud, and pages by Gide. "As for O: the lady-author decidedly refuses to sell the ms but would be quite happy for the book to appear (without wanting to know Michel Simon)"... - "The lady has returned (the author of O). Impatient. She tells me that offers are being made. Also, that she'd like 70000". - "I think I've found the solution for O. You're still willing to take over the distribution, aren't you? See you Saturday. Gen Paul wouldn't also do a sketch of Dominique Aury (who's becoming quite famous, did a signing session the day before yesterday, is secretary of the nrf)?"... - "Finally, Pauline Réage's reply. Well, she refuses. No suite d'O, no return to Roissy. I'm annoyed". He offers a book by Braque and a watercolor by Signac... - He leaves for Marseille and Guinea. G.G. [Gaston Gallimard] has not yet read Histoire d'O, but Jean Dutourd "sees in O the greatest novel of the twentieth century"...