VALÉRY (Paul, 1871-1945, French Poet, Essayist and Philosopher) and his friend Julien Pierre MONOD (1879-1963, Banker and Bibliophile)

Signature 'Paul Valéry' on piece, together with an informal photograph showing him full length, full face, in hat and jacket, 3¼" x 1½", laid down together on the conjugate leaf of the second of two letters by Monod to H. J. de Backer, of Wiesbaden, Germany, in the first, (Typed Letter Signed), Monod replies on Valéry's behalf "about a quotation from François Coppée", but to Valéry's regret, "it is quite impossible to give you the reference you want, particularly in the complete absence of information about the date, etc ... on the letter in question", in the second, (Autograph Letter Signed), Monod explains that "Paul Valéry is away from Paris, and his friends need to respect his quiet" as regards autographs, "But if I can gratify you by sending, on the opposite page, an informal photograph of him, taken in the country, below which you will see his signature, I do so willingly. You can slip this page into your copy of Charmes [1922]", with autograph envelope, together 3 sides 8vo, 16 Boulevard Raspail, Paris, 19th and 27th July (Translations)
16 Boulevard Raspail,
Paris, 16th July 1929
Monsieur,
My friend Paul Valéry asks me to reply on his behalf to the letter you wrote to him about a quotation from François Coppée. To his regret, it is quite impossible to give you the reference you want, particularly in the complete absence of information about the date, etc ... on the letter in question.
Please be assured, Monsieur, of the expression of my especial regard.
Julien P. Monod
Monsieur H.J. de BACKER
Villa Cilly
Wiesbaden
Sonnenberg
(Germany)

16 Boulevard Raspail
Paris, 27th July 1929
Monsieur,
I have received your letter of the 24th July.
Paul Valéry is away from Paris, and his friends need to respect his quiet. I therefore do not wish to pursue him with requests for autographs. But if I can gratify you by sending, on the opposite page, an informal photograph of him, taken in the country, below which you will see his signature, I do so willingly. You can slip this page into your copy of Charmes.
Please accept, Monsieur, my best regards.
Julien P. Monod

Julien Pierre Monod was a banker, but on coming across a copy of Valéry's La Jeune Parque experienced a revelation. He became Valéry's companion and honorary secretary, 'minister of the quill', 'shadow' and 'conscience' for the rest of Valéry's life.

Item Date:  1929

Stock No:  56346      £325

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