Sarah BERNHARDT. 2 L.A.S., [1896] and n.d., to Robert de Mon - Lot 60

Sarah BERNHARDT. 2 L.A.S., [1896] and n.d., to Robert de Montesquiou; 7 pages in-8 and 1 1/2 pages in-4 in his cipher and motto (tabbed, small red Montesquiou stamp). Includes 2 photographs of the actress. Magnificent letter of gratitude to her admirer. [Before the party given to Sarah Bernhardt by her admirers on December 9, 1896, Montesquiou published an article entitled "Les noces d'argent de la voix d'or", collected in 1898 in Autels privilégiés (printed text enclosed). On December 3, Sarah had premiered Musset's Lorenzaccio]. [Early December 1896]. "The most friendly, the most devotionally loved!" His letter upset her; she explained the misunderstanding, having only learned of the article very late: "I'm not reading anything at the moment, being taken up with Lorenzaccio. I was very moved by the sweet idea; but my thoughts immediately went to you when I didn't see your name in the Committee. [...] I am in despair and joy to see myself glorified by so many people who have disgraced me, and not to be glorified by you who have understood and guessed me. [...] But you, my friend, have been chosen by my heart as the ideal embodiment of my whole being; you have helped me to be great within myself, and it is of this greatness, unknown to almost everyone, that I am proud. In this celebration, which I almost ignore, since everything is done outside of me, and this is out of delicacy for what I must have of modesty, you will be close to me"... She would like to meet "your beautiful and so interesting friend Ida Rubinstein", whom she asks Montesquiou to bring to her home for lunch: "Dig my idea friend always so cherished and always present nevertheless in my being!" 2 photographs of the actress are enclosed.