ENVELOPE SIGNED BY FRENCH POST-IMPRESSIONIST PAINTER PAUL GAUGUIN

EUGÈNE HENRI PAUL GAUGUIN (1848-1903). Gauguin was a French ceramist, painter, printmaker, sculptor, and writer primarily aligned with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.

Signature. 4” x 5”. 1890. Paris. An envelope signed “Paul Gauguin” on the verso, and on the front is written in Gauguin’s writing, “Mousier Emile Schuffenecker Artiste Peintre 31 Rue 3 Zezin Paris”. The original stamp and postmark are also included. Paul Gauguin was a late-19^th century post-Impressionist painter. He was originally an Impressionist in the early 1880s close to Vincent van Gogh, amongst others, but he soon transitioned towards painting less traditional subject matters outside of Western culture. He was especially fascinated by Polynesian culture, and in 1891 he set sail for the French colony of Tahiti. However, while this odyssey brought him artistic notice, it led to financial and health struggles that he never recovered from. Claude-Émile Schuffenecker (1851-1934) was a close friend and a fellow post-Impressionist. He is best known for establishing The Volpini Exhibition in 1889 with Gauguin, which not only purposefully excluded other post-Impressionists like Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, Henri-Edmond Cross and Pissarro, but led to the breakdown in Gauguin’s friendship with van Gogh when his brother, Theo van Gogh, refused to have his brother’s work displayed. Vincent van Gogh committed suicide the following year, the same year as the envelope. The envelope has been spread open, and other than some minor tears and rough edges, it is in good condition.  Gauguin is a scarce to rare signature.

NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING FRENCH AUTHOR ANDRE GIDE REQUESTS MODIFICATIONS TO HIS SUBMISSION TO A LITERARY MAGAZINE

ANDRE GIDE (1869-1951). Gide was a Nobel Prize-winning French author. He is best known for his work concerning morality and the human condition.

ALS. 1pg. 5 ½” x 8 ¼”. March 28, 1934. No place. An autograph letter signed “Andre Gide” two times. It is written in French and addressed to Belgian writer Franz Hellens (1881-1972) and concerns Le Disque Vert, a monthly literary magazine edited by Hellens: “My dear Franz Hellens…I would be particularly obliged if you could, to Feuillets that I sent you for the new Disque Vert, add these few lines (read very carefully). My text consists of three paragraphs, separated one from the others by a… where added some typographic symbols; which here would form forth and last paragraph. Best wishes. Andre Gide”. There is a postscript on the left edge that is also signed by him. The letter is in fine condition with some fold lines and the original envelope is included.

ANDRÉ GIDE RESPONDS TO A PROPOSAL CONCERNING HIS PLAY KING CANDULE

ANDRÉ GIDE (1869-1951). Gide was a Nobel Prize-winning French author. He is best known for his work concerning morality and the human condition.

ALS. 1pg. September 24, 1948. Grasse, Alpes Maritimes, France. An autograph letter signed “André Gide”. Gide wrote, in French, to Roland von Weber concerning Gide’s play Le Roi Candule (King Candule). Gide wrote (in translation): “Dear Roland von Weber I receive from you a delightful letter (of August 11) and that fills me with joy. Yes, what you tell me of my theatre makes me smile, because even among admirers, this part of my oeuvre still remains often unrecognized, unknown, to discover. I therefore agree with pleasure to your projects on the subject of my Candaule if it is true that I can still arrange it, and I immediately pass on your letter to my son-in-law Jean Lambert Ibis Street Vaneau Paris (same address as me) – I ask him to inform you: Too tired to write you as long as I would like…Warm wishes of success and the assurance of my good sentiments…André Gide No, I don’t know The Ides of March of Thornton Wilder, and I accept with pleasure your suggestion…”. The letter is in very good condition with stains, and it written on thin onionskin paper. It includes a the original mailing envelope and a handwritten transcription of the French.

SCOTTISH POET GEORGE GILFILLAN ANSWERS AN AUTOGRAPH REQUEST

GEORGE GILFILLAN (1813-1878). Gilfillan was a Scottish poet, author, and minister.

ALS. 1pg. May 26, 1869. Dundee, Scotland. An autograph letter signed “George Gilfillan”. “Dear Sir You ask for my Autograph. This I cheerfully give and am Yours very truly George Gilfillan”. It is in very good condition with light toning.

WILLIAM GLADSTONE RSVPS TO A MEETING BETWEEN TERMS AS PRIME MINISTER

WILLIAM GLADSTONE (1809-1898). Gladstone was a British statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for four non-consecutive terms.

ALS. 1pg. June 25, 1878. N.p. An autograph letter signed “W Gladstone”. “Sir, I have entered the meeting for Au 11^th at 3 & will certainly appear for a short time unless prevented by courses I cannot control. Your faithful servant W. Gladstone”. Gladstone wrote this in between his first two terms as Prime Minister. The letter is in very good condition and comes with a transcript because Gladstone’s handwriting is a bit difficult to read.

WILLIAM GLADSTONE (1809-1898).  A four time Prime Minister, Gladstone worked his way up through the government.  A liberal, Gladstone passed many reforms during his terms, including increased suffrage and Irish Home Rule.

ALS. 1pg. 5” x 8”. Nov 4, 1856. No place.  An autograph letter signed “W E Gladstone” to Mr. Ritchley: “Please be aware the Bonifacio Picture from Mr. Christies & do what you may find necessary will respect to the…should it…returned & replaced.  The picture itself I believe does not require to be touched.  Yours faithfully W E Gladstone”.  The letter has some white spots along the left edge and overall browning, and it is matted in tan and framed with an image of Gladstone.