Literature Autographs ($100 - $250)

French novelist (1847-1901), dramatist, and journalist; best remembered today as the friend and biographer of Emile ZolaAutograph letter in French signed by him, dated in Paris, October 14, 1887, concerning some prepared drafts. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, sold untranslated, in very good condition.

American poet (1928-2014) and also civil rights activist. Beautiful black-and-white promo photograph signed and inscribed by her.  Size is 8 x 10 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian journalist (1807-1887), lifelong friend of Giuseppe Verdi. Autograph letter signed, dated in Livorno, 1871. One page, in Italian (sold with translation), size is 4.25 x 5.3 inches, in excellent condition.

English poet, novelist, and journalist (1836 or 1838-1917), autograph letter signed, 1 page, dated in 18746, to an unknown recipient regarding sending them a copy of his books.  Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 1 fold and small creases, otherwise in very good condition.

French dramatist (1820-1889), the author of several successful plays and works, Augier created the libretto for Charles Gounod´s first opera, "Sapho". Autograph note signed, no date, one page in French, sold untranslated, 4.25 x 5.25 inches. In very good condition.

American writer (1836-1907), poet, critic, and editor. Short poetry from his work "Two Moods" on a piece of paper signed by him. Size is 8 x 5 inches, folds, in very good condition.

German poet and writer (1800-1833), brother of the composer Giacomo Meyerbeer. Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated April 29, 1824, to a certain Mr. Pougine "... Mr. Pougine, a member of the Institute and of several other learned societies...", concerning some poetical texts he sent.  Size is 4.7 x 7.1 inches, folds, creases, some dirt smudges, in very good condition (see scans provided).

British author and translator (1844-1933). Autograph letter in English signed by her, no date, about personal matters. Size is 4.3 x 7 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), in very good condition.

Mauritian Writer (1860-1937), related to the Mahé de la Bourdonnais and Surcouf families Set of three autograph letters signed by him, as follows: 1. Dated October 10,1891 to a colleague: “...les heures sont lentes qui nous séparent, nous qui travaillons en silence, du succès que les nécessités de la vie rendent enviable (...) Votre article du Courrier du Soir m’a fait grand plaisir...”. Size is 4.4 x 6.8 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet, in very good condition. 2. Dated March 1, [1900], to the art critic Henry Lapauze (1867-1925): “...Oserai-je, profitant de l’occasion de vous écrire, recourir à votre sympathie au sujet de ma nouvelle le Gardien, qui attend depuis plus d’ un an au Gaulois?...”. Size is 4.3 x 5.45 inches, 1 page, central fold. C. Dated September (no date) to a friend: “...Ferrero n’est pas encore venu me voir. Il ne descend pas, cette fois, chez moi; mais, bien entendu, je l’aurai un peu. Si donc, vous voulez essayer de lui parler, venez quand vous voudrez...”. Size is 8.75 x 6.92 inches, central fold, overall rust tone, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American author and screenwriter (1920-2012), one of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers. Black-and-white photograph signed by him with a short sentiment dated 2000. Size is 7.9 x 10 inches, in excellent condition.

American educator (1855-1934), director of Harvard Univerisity. Set of two autograph letters in English signed by him, dated 1882, sent to his friend the American philosopher Moncore D. Conway. Each one's size is 4.5 x 6.7 inches, four written pages each, central fold, in excellent condition.

English bibliographer (1762-1837) and genealogist. Autograph letter signed by him, referring to his brother John William Head (1764-1839), dated on December 14th, 1812.  Size is 7.3 x 8.9 inches, 1 page written on a folded folio, folds, minor stains, in excellent condition.

French writer (1846-1897). A beautiful collection of nine autograph letters in French signed by him (untranslated). Various sizes, all in very good condition.  SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French dramatist (1832-1907), and librettist for Bizet and Offenbach. Autograph note signed, in French (sold untranslated). Three pages, each one is 4.1 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition.

British writer (1824-1911). Autograph letter on a card signed by her, dated November 10, 1886. Size is 4.4 x 3.4 inches, in very good condition.

French music publisher (1814-1947), who was also journalist and writer. Autograph letter signed, undated, in French (sold untranslated). One page 5.1 x 7.75 inches, mounted on a page that is 7 x 10 inches, in very good condition.

American novelist (1947-2013), very famous for his espionage novels, with storylines set after the cold war. Fine color photograph signed by him, shown probably in one of the films based in any of his novels. Size is 9.9 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

French poet and novelist (1842-1903). Postcard signed by him, indicating the year 1904.  Size is 5.4 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition.

French poet (1807-1882), who often collaborated with composers such as Bellini, Rossini, Niedermeyer, and others. Rare autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, October 25, 1837, addressed to his music publisher: “….je tiens toujours à votre disposition un recueil de plusieurs … de poesies lyriques en tout genre – romances, nocturnes, scènes historiques, tt, à votre choix (…) Connaissant à fond plusieurs instruments et notamment la guitare depuis 15 ans – permettez mois, cher Monsieur, de vous offrir un service pour les accompagnements dont vous pourriez avoir besoin – soit romances, album ou partitions entières…”.  Open size is 8.1 x 6.2 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, creases, folds, dirt, ink, and rust stains, in overall good condition.

French journalist (1829-1898), librettist, and navy officer. Collection of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1868, addressed to the literary critic Paul de Saint-Victor (1827-1881), concerning "...une pièce en trois actes, muté de Caldéron (1625)..." be performed at the Théâtre du Vaudeville. We report an extract as a sample. 13 février 1868:  "...Le directeur du Vaudeville [Gustave Harmant] m'a accueilli fort bien je le déclare, mais comme un auteur présentant sa marchandise. (...) Toutefois, j'ai confiance dans mon oeuvre... Elle n'est pas ordinaire .... Elle sort des lieux commun dont on le nourrit aujourd'hui...". On the 28th February, Détroyat writes to Saint-Victor: "...Je viens de voir, par hasard, Mr. Harmant et nous avons causé ensemble de ma pièce. (...) Tout d'abord, m'a-t-il dit, le sujet l'effroie. Il pense que mettre en scène aujourd'hui des sentiments qu'ont 80 ans de date est la presque certitude d'un insuccès...".  Different sizes and lengths (for a total of six written pages), in very good condition or better (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian writer and journalist (1855-1905), secretary of the Italian Academy of Heraldry, and remembered for being the second editor of the Yearbook of the Italian nobility from 1893 to 1904. Lot of seven large autograph letters signed by him, dated between 1886 and 1890 by him. All letters are presumably addressed to the art critic Henry Lapauze. Different lengths, and sizes, in very good condition or better. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

English writer (1812-1870) and social critic, probably the greatest writer of the Victorian era.  Fine vintage carte-de-visite (CDV) with his image, an original by S. Poulton. Size is 2.3 x 4 inches, spotted rust, ink markings on verso, otherwise in excellent condition.

Dutch composer and arranger (1868-1954) who, in 1913, was one of the founders and first director of "The Music-Copyright Office" (BUMA). Interesting typed document in German with autograph additions and musical writing by the Dutch theologist who devolved part of his life to music, publishing an academic article in 1933 titled “The Musical Essence of Chromatic Shifting”. Description of Abraham Loman’s music theory (“Einiges der Lomanschen Theorie”) with Graphic image of the root tones in the key of D (“Graphisches Bild der Stammtöne in der Tonsorte D”). Laws and examples of the theory are reported. Size is 8.3 x 13 inches, 1 page, stains, in overall very good condition.

English novelist (1907-1989), biographer, and playwright. Autograph note in English on a postcard signed by her. Size is 5.4 x 3.25 inches, some stains over the left border, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a clip with her signature (probably the bottom of a letter). Size is 4.3 x 1.75 inches, in excellent condition.

French playwright (1869-1955) and general administrator of the Comédie-Francaise from 1915 to 1936. Set of 3 autograph letters signed by him about professional matters. Different sizes and lengths, all in very good condition or better. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French writer (1774-1852) and musicologist. between 1805 and 1809 he published a collection of 16 volumes in-12 titled "Quatre saisons du Parnasse", in which he inserted many articles on music, and notices on several musicians. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated September 23, 1812, where he addresses Mr. Loins, librarian in Paris: “…Je vous remets 1° le morceau de musique de M. Barni; 2° L’Esprit de M.elle [Sophie] Arnould avec une lettre de cette actrice qui sera mise à la fin; 3° quelques pièces pour le chansonnier de Graces…”.  Size is 6.1 x 7.7 inches, 1 page, folds, creases, overall rust tone, sealing marks and addressee information on verso, in very good condition.

Italian poet (1884-1961), writer, and musician better known as "E.A. Mario".  Autograph letter signed by him, written in Italian (sold untranslated), dated in 1947.  Size is 8.1 x 11.7 inches, 1 page, folds, minor stains, in very good condition.

French writer (1876-1943) and Art Historian. Fine autograph manuscript, no date, by Gillet, titled "Hoffmanstahl, poète de l'Autriche". In this moving memorial, Gillet attempts to bring back to life the works of the poet Hugo von Hofmannstahl (1874-1929), little known to the French public. We report an extract as a sample: "...C'était pourtant un grand poète, et peut-êtr, avec d'Annunzio, le premier de ce siècle: dans cette Allemagne de fer et de philistins, de casernes et de bureaux, de canons et d'argent qui avait succédé à la victoire de Bismarck et où Nietzsche, après une vie d'exil, était mort de dégoût, de colère et de folie, il était le premier qui eût ramené la poésie. Dans ce monde brutal, il ramenait par la main cette inconnue, ou celle oubliée, la Beauté. Il allait la chercher aux bords où elle était restée, à venise, chez cette reine déchue de l'Adriatique, dans la Grèce archaïque et les villes mortes de l'Argolide, où Schliemann venait de rouvir les tombeaux de Mycènes, les sépulcres des rois égorgées ; il écrivait La Mort de Titien, Venise sauvée, Electre, Oedipe, Ariane à Naxos. Il était de ceux qui pensent avec l'auteur de la Gaya Scienza : "Il faut méditerraniser la musique...". Size is 5.2 x 8.2 inches, 10 written pages, including two pages of preparatory notes, in very good condition.

German novelist (1927-2015) and also poet, playwright, illustrator, graphic artist, sculptor, recipient of the Nobel Prize of Literature in 1999. Signed photo, shown in a press conference or book presentation, size is 10.6 x 6.9 inches, in excellent condition.

American Quaker poet (1807-1892) and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Small album page signed by him. Size is 4.2 x 5.5 inches, with some fading on ink, otherwise in excellent condition.

American writer (1921-1992), and author of the famous novel "Roots" (1976), later adapted as a TV miniseries.  Beautiful photograph signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment.  Size is 8 x 9.8 inches, in excellent condition.

American journalist and writer (1864-1912), who assisted the political career of Theodor Roosevelt. Small clip (probably the bottom of a letter) mounted on a larger piece of paper with his signature. Total size is 5.4 x 4 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a piece of paper with the signature of his mother Rebecca dated July 10, 1902, who was also an author and journalist (1831-1910). Size is 4.7 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American novelist (1819-1881). Autograph letter in English signed by him, dated August 21, 1874, about personal matters. Size is 5 x 8 inches, 1 page, ink partially faded but still visible, otherwise in very good condition.

German music writer (1813-1869) best known for his 1856 biography of Mozart. Autograph letter signed, written in Bonn, dated in 1868. 1 page, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 5.5 x 7.5 inches, small stain at bottom of page far from text and signature, otherwise vintage item in excellent condition.

English novelist (1865-1936), short-story writer, poet, and journalist. Small card signed by him. Size is 4.3 x 3.5 inches, mounting traces on verso, in excellent condition.

Russian ballet historian (1915-1999) and critic, highly respected for her books and articles.  Beautiful photograph shown at home signed and inscribed by her with a short sentiment.  Size is 5.25 x 3.2 inches, in excellent condition.

Polish-born French poet (1857-1908), autograph letter signed. 1 page with very attractive handwriting and signature. Written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.1 inches, in very good condition.

English poet (1784-1834), politician, and writer. Autograph letter signed by him, dated December 28th, 1820. Size is 7.25 x 8.9 inches, 4 pages written on a folded sheet, some damage over the upper border, folds, otherwise in very good condition.

French playwright (1761-1833) whose works played an important role against the mob rule during the French Revolution. Fine autograph letter in French signed by him (untranslated), no year indicated. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, 1 written page, in very good condition.

French poet (1851-1915). Autograph poem in French in two separate pages signed by Legay on the second page, and inscribed to the French baritone Leon Melchissedec. Size is 7.1 x 9 inches each page, central fold, minor spotted dust, in overall very good condition.

American journalist (1855-1914), novelist, and short story writer. Album page with a text quote signed by him. Size is 4.7 x 6.4 inches, folds, in excellent condition.

Swiss dramatist (1873-1921), son of the founder of the Gallican church movement Charles "père" Loyson. Set of four autograph letters signed by him, written in French and Italian, dated three of them in 1907, about different topics and addressed to different people. Different sizes and lengths, in very good condition or better (see scans provided).   SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American poet (1933-2015), singer, songwriter, and composer; active between 1955 and 2004. Black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment dated in August 1984. Size is 7.9 x 9.9 inches, in excellent condition.

French dramatist (1830-1897), and opera librettist. Meilhac wrote the libretto for Bizet’s Carmen and also for Offenbach and Massenet. Autograph note signed, in French, sold untranslated. One page, sized 4.4 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

American poet (1925-2011).  Short handwritten poem and note on one single page.  Size is 8.4 x 11 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a short printed biographical article on him, inscribed and signed twice by him, dated in 1990.

French writer (1841-1909), author of many librettos and music poems for composers such as Reynaldo Hahn, Georges Bizet, Ignacy Paderewski, Andre Messager, and others. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date indicated [but circa 1890], addressed to a gentleman, recommending Mademoiselle Léonie Dupont, who is taking the entrance exam for singing at the Conservatoire.  Open size is 10.7 x 8.3 inches, 2 written pages in one folded sheet, letterhead from "Echo de Paris", creases, in overall very good condition.

French playwright (1859-1913) and novelist, who founded Le Theatre du Grand-Guignol in Paris in 1897. Set of 4 Autograph letters in French signed by him (sold untranslated), three of them are dated 1887, one with no date. Different sizes, from 3.5 x 5.4 to 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in very good condition.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian poet and writer (1870-1945), first woman member of the Italian Academy (1940). Fine signed photo postcard by Camuzzi, Milan, signed and inscribed by her, with a short sentiment in latin. Size is 3.25 x 5.3 inches, minor silvering on borders, in very good condition.