JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963)

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Details

JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963)
One-page autograph letter in French, signed 'Jean Cocteau', from Milly La Floret, 19 December 1949, to 'Chere ami' [Madame de Hartog], saying he has finally read her article word for word and refers to a recent meeting, 'Les visites sucessives en lavatory des 'Magot' sont irresistibles', the man in the glasses was [Nicolas] Hayer, 'l'amazon, sa femme'. I read your article to my cats, he continues - they were enchanted. He ends by mentioning that Braudel speaks of her husband with enthusiasm and fondness and would very much like to meet him (creased on folds), with original envelope.
With a brochure for the Club des Amis des Chats, Salon du Chat 1949, 28, 29 and 30 October 1949, inscribed and signed in biro on the title page, 'Souvenir bien amical a Madame de Hartog, Jean Cocteau', illustrated with a drawing of a cat's face; and a photograph by Tesson-Photo, Rouen, depicting five actors on stage holding plant pots, inscribed in another hand on the reverse 'This photograph was part of the set-dressing of Jean Cocteau's film Les Enfants Terribles. Cocteau said I could have it.'
(4)

Provenance

From the property of the late Angela Wyndham Lewis, daughter of D.B. Wyndham Lewis and step daughter of J.B. Priestley.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Nicolas Hayer was in charge of the cinematography for the film Orphée, which Cocteau both wrote and directed. The film won the first prize at the International Film Festival in Venice.
The recipient's husband referred to in the letter was Jan de Hartog, the Dutch-American novelist.

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