Beckett, Samuel. Irish playwright, novelist, poet and Nobel laureate in literature (1906-1989). 
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Important collection of 31 letters and cards to Jean Demélier, almost entirely autograph and unpublished. Paris, Ussy-sur-Marne, and elsewhere. 1966–1983. Small-oblong-8vo. 31 pp.
An exceptional archive comprising 31 pieces of correspondence, consisting of 28 autograph letters signed (ALS), 2 autograph postcards/cards signed, and one typed letter signed (TLS), almost all addressed to the French poet, writer, and artist Jean Demélier (1940–2023), together with numerous original envelopes. The correspondence spans nearly twenty years, from Beckett's first surviving letter to Demélier in December 1966 to notes written only a few years before the author's death. With the exception of a single autograph letter of recommendation addressed to a third party on Demélier's behalf, the entire archive consists of unpublished letters exchanged within one of Beckett's closest personal friendships. Jean Demélier, poet, novelist, draughtsman, and author of the first monograph on Beckett published in French, first approached the Nobel laureate as a young admirer. The literary relationship quickly developed into a lasting friendship. Throughout the correspondence Beckett encourages Demélier's writing, comments on his poems, drawings, and manuscripts, arranges meetings in Paris and Ussy-sur-Marne, introduces him to publishers and literary figures, and repeatedly offers practical and financial assistance. His brief notes—typically ending with "Bon courage", "Courage toujours", or "Amitiés"—reveal a warmth and constancy rarely encountered in his published correspondence. Particularly remarkable is the autograph testimonial dated 22 April 1968, addressed to M. Basdevant, in which Beckett recommends Demélier as "jeune écrivain de grand talent dont le besoin d'aide est extrême", a striking expression of his confidence in the younger writer. Other letters mention George Devine, Werner Spies, travel between Paris and Ussy, Beckett's illnesses and literary obligations, returned manuscripts, books received, and the practicalities of assisting Demélier's career. One especially moving letter of 27 November 1980 reads: "Je ne trouve rien à vous dire. Rien qui m'aille. Même plus bon courage. Seulement vous envoyer ce moment de répit." Another notable note of 10 August 1981 contains Beckett's characteristic modesty regarding his papers: "Je préférerais que vous gardiez mes lettres, ou que vous les détruisiez." Fortunately, Demélier chose instead to preserve them, allowing this extraordinary correspondence to survive intact. In later life Demélier recalled Beckett as "un immense ami, un immense bienfaiteur", a judgement fully borne out by the present archive. Far from the austere public image often associated with Beckett, these letters reveal a loyal, compassionate, and remarkably generous friend, deeply committed to encouraging a younger writer over almost two decades. An outstanding unpublished archive of exceptional literary and biographical importance, documenting one of Samuel Beckett's longest and most intimate friendships with a French author and providing valuable new material for Beckett scholarship.
28500,- EUR
inkl. 7% USt./incl. 7% VAT
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