Jean COCTEAU (1889-1963) 3 L.A.S., Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat July-August 1956; 4pages in-4 (one on Santo-Sospir letterhead), 2 envelopes (1st letter split). July 26. "The admirable optics of Arles are those of Venice, where there are no cars. My method is to live in Venice and in your Arles without being there and even in Paris - because this calm makes you fidgety - while beauty does what it wants and disturbs the lines in its own way." On his return from Venice, he found 314 letters: "Of course, from this Tower of Pisa, I took Jean Marais' letters - Genet's and yours - but it's hard to understand that for the first time an unknown poet has hidden behind the mask of celebrity. Until we understand this drama, we'll understand NOTHING about me. The mask of silence and emptiness had to be replaced by that of din and fullness [...] you and Magnan are almost the only ones worthy of understanding the incomprehensible, and if people understood me, my method would be posthumous. Raymond Radiguet taught me this new form of suffering and failure (suffering, failure, without which one is nothing). I implore you not to chase after a glory that is made for you alone and according to your merits. Let me organize this exhibition calmly. Haste is a catastrophe". And he adds: "Think of my adopted son Edouard Dermit, who is, in my opinion, the most admirable painter of our time, and who not only seeks no success and no show, but even avoids painting. I salute him with respect and fuck the whole world except for a few people, of whom you are one, and whom I beg to understand." [August 11]. "Many thanks for the cock figure mechanism. The cemetery is remarkable, although I find it (unbeknownst to you) a little literary and pate de grives"... He has forwarded Jean-Marie Magnan's text to Editions du Rocher. August 20th. "Thank you, dear Lucien, for this wonderful print (that's the right word) of Le merle d'Arles. There are a host of photographers who follow my work from Cap d'ail. But alas, their lens is just a 3rd eye like the other two, which can't see. Why don't we all live together? The Greek theater would be under the walls of the Knights of Malta and we wouldn't need the post office to exchange our vows"... Enclosed is a letter from Lucien CLERGUE to Cocteau, Arles, July 17, 1956 (double carbon; 4p. in-4). CCC p. 22-24. Lots 24 to 68 are sold on provisional with possibility of reunion