Claude MONET. Autograph letter, Giverny, April 3, 1899, to Arsène Alexandre; 3¼ pages, in-8 (mourning), on Giverny letterhead by Vernon Eure, stamped envelope. Regarding preparations for the sale to benefit the children of Sisley (who died on January 29). Monet is actively involved in the “auction to benefit Sisley’s children, which will take place on May 1 at the Petit Gallery and will consist of the paintings he left behind—unfortunately, only a small number—as well as those that his friends and colleagues are willing to donate.” There will be a catalog “featuring a portrait of Sisley and reproductions of several paintings,” and he is counting on Alexandre and Gustave Geffroy to write the preface: “Your support, both of you, is of great importance to the success of the sale.” And Monet lists the painters who have contributed: Renoir, Pissarro, Lebourg, Cazin, Besnard, Thaulow, Fantin-Latour, Roll, Helleu, Degas, Lerolle, Guillaumin, Zandomeneghi, Aman-Jean, Raffaëlli, Vuillard, Carrière, Ménard, Mary Cassatt; plus works by Berthe Morisot (donated by Julie Manet) and Gustave Caillebotte (donated by his brother)…