Jean COCTEAU (1889-1963) - Lot 56

Jean COCTEAU (1889-1963) 4 L.A.S., January-February 1960; 6pages in-8, 2 envelopes. Santo-Sospir January 3. "There will be another unpublished poem addressed to you at the head of the album. I'm happy to know you're free to earn your living and fame without the constraints of the office"... Milly January 20. "I naively thought that a poem dedicated to you - which I've never done for anyone - was more than a typographical line and symbolized more what I owe you. As for the Seghers-Eluard affair, I just wanted to tell you that these things happen beyond our control"... Saint-Moritz February 20. "Don't worry. For 50 years I've been fighting and throwing all my moral fortune on the green table. It's taken half a century for me to get the kind of respectful attention you've witnessed. The photo may well pass (because I'll explain why it's not of the quality of the others, BUT the real trick would be to take one of the images a little further away when we're already transparent. Then the blur would serve us instead of doing us a disservice"... Saint-Moritz February 20. "Who would have thought that the film would receive such a great response from young people and critics? But (this is addressed to you) it took me 40 years of struggle to overcome the obstacle, Paris is a city that "refuses" and forces you to constantly surpass yourself. Repeat to yourself what Doniol-Valcroze said in his article on Le Testament. "This film cannot be judged. It judges." So your nudes and your ponds judge those who love them and those who don't know how to see them"... CCC p. 74-75. Lots 24 to 68 are sold by provisional auction with the option of reunion.