322. LAMARTINE (Alphonse). LS dated December 2, 1857, 2 page - Lot 322

Lot 322
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322. LAMARTINE (Alphonse). LS dated December 2, 1857, 2 page - Lot 322
322. LAMARTINE (Alphonse). LS dated December 2, 1857, 2 pages on watermarked laid paper (Lacroix frères), 20.5 x 13 cm. This letter bears witness to Lamartine's period of financial rout, when he chose to simulate a fake personal correspondence with the 8,000 or so subscribers to his literature course. "Look for scribes. Don't waste an hour. It must be a penny a letter at the most. Quick, get to work, and reply. It must be done more or less confidentially", he wrote to Alfred Dumesnil in January 1856. Although the poet did not write these letters in his own hand, it is accepted that he did sign them. The letter is accompanied by a stamped, travel envelope. "Dear Sir, My relations with my subscribers, among whom I am fortunate to count a veritable family of friends, have always been open-hearted. I have not hidden from them my labors and my efforts to honorably fulfill immense duties through immense work. Nor do I conceal from them the fact that the weight of these duties weighs heavily on the end of this year. All the talks for 1857, forming the third and fourth volumes of the Cours familier, were delivered to you by yesterday's post. I beg you, Sir, in consideration of the above personal circumstances and also for the more prompt and regular service of the 1858 talks, to kindly (if it is in your intentions and your convenience) have the amount of your 1858 subscription paid before the 25th of December, either directly at the office, or in a postal order, or by sending me the enclosed undertaking signed by you. I would like to count, Sir, on your obliging readiness, as you can count on my gratitude. [signature]"
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