Romanian actor (1869-1924). 2 autograph letters signed "De Max". [Paris]. 8vo. Together 3½ pp. on bifolia.
$ 480 / 450 €
(88508/BN58370)
Both letters are addressed to a M. Kahn, probably the poet and critic Gustave Kahn. In a brief letter, De Max announces his departure for Monte Carlo together with his stage partner Sarah Bernhardt, with apologies to the recipient: "Je pars avec Sarah pour Monte-Carlo Lundi et nous ne rentrons que le 12. Croyez bien à tout mon vrai regret". - The longer letter concerns a forthcoming poetry recital organized by a M. Mendès, very likely the author and playwright Catull Mendès. De Max asks Kahn to relate to Mendès that he agrees to "La misère humaine" but would prefer to recite Victor Hugo's "Les Djinns" over Lord Byron's "Mazeppa": "Voulez vous avoir la bonté de dire à Mr Mendès que c'est entendu pour 'La misère humaine' mais qu'a la place de 'Mazeppa' je désirais dire 'Les Djinns' trouvant ce dernier poème plus dans mes cordes.
À mon grand regret je ne puis rester à la répétition. Envoyez-moi un mot et le poème des 'Djinns'. Merci mon ami grand. Votre vieux dévoué". - While there is no established link between Édouard de Max and either Gustave Kahn or Catull Mendès, the two authors were indeed friends, making the identification plausible. - The letter concerning Mendès minimally creased..