Remy de GOURMONT (1858-1915). Autograph manuscript signed, Vathek, [1893]; 4 ff. large in-8. Navy blue chagr. spine folder with gold titling, slipcase (Atelier Devauchelle). Manuscript of his glowing review of the Perrin reprint of Vathek, published in Mercure de France, October 1893 (pp. 170-71). The manuscript, crossed out, was used for printing (Mercure stamp and typographical notes); on imitation-Japanese leaves, it is signed with the initials. "Sagacious seekers of rare objects, bibliophiles counted by the very figure of the reprint [...], those in whose hands it falls also hold in it the fate of the work", invoked Mallarmé as early as 1876. Who better than Gourmont, a fine scholar and great discoverer (the two issues of Lautréamont's Poésies in 1891...) to beat the drum? Your indulgence," he wrote, "has already absolved me, hasn't it, my dear Master, for not thanking you earlier for your Vathek? I was supposed to write the notice for the forthcoming Mercure, but then I fell ill. I'm thinking about it for next month, to express my joy at having read this marvel and willingly undergo the incantation of the imperious Preface. One of yours." (Austin Corr. VI p. 151). He cheerfully complied: "this find more memorable and more meritorious, - and the inventor's wish will be followed. Inventor, yes, for without M. Mallarmé's perseverance, who, at this time, would read Vathek's French? [...] And in this Beckford, what power to make us suddenly tremble and turn pale, at the end of the most amusing and ironically jovial tale! And, another marvel, the style, perfect in its simplicity. The preface is the masterpiece needed for this masterpiece [emphasis added]". Provenance: Pierre Bergé, 2nd sale, 8-9/11/2016 no. 474 enclosed (without the superb slipcase from the Devauchelle workshop).