Stéphane MALLARMÉ (1842-1898). L.A.S., "89 rue de Rome" May - Lot 485

Stéphane MALLARMÉ (1842-1898). L.A.S., "89 rue de Rome" May 21 [1889, to Fernand Mazade]; 2pages oblong in-12 on gray bristol board. To the young poet Fernand Mazade, who is preparing a poetic anthology that he has asked Mallarmé to preface. [Fernand Mazade (1861-1939) was 28 years old at the time. His Anthologie des poètes français (in 4 volumes) would not appear until 1925-1930]. "You're right, there is a need for a monument to verse, before this Exposition [universelle] that miraculously dispenses with it; build your Anthology. I believe that Henri de Régnier, Morice and Rodenbach would figure well among the young and talented men; apart from that, the choice is excellent. Thank you for the honor of prefacing the work, I feel it; but think of it, when my incomparable masters and elders Théodore de Banville and Leconte de Lisle, who are still alive, take part in the collection! He adds: "Every Tuesday evening, I'm at home with a few friends; and if you ever have a word to say to me, or happen to be passing by, come along! We'll talk about the choice you'd like to make, from my verses."