Auguste de VILLIERS DE L’ISLE-ADAM (1838–1889). Autograph letter, March 23, 1889, to Pierre Valdagne; 1 page, in-8. Regarding *Axël*, a few months before his death (August 18, 1889). He thanks Valdagne (Ollendorff’s literary director) for his kindness “in persuading those with the authority to publish my book,” and asks him to forward it to Mr. de Saint-Meleu or Mr. Bailly. “This, you see, is because I foresee that Mr. Ollendorff would no doubt ask me to make changes to which I would be unable to agree”… [*Axël* was published posthumously, under the care of Mallarmé and Huysmans, by Quantin in 1890.]