Roland Barthes
French literary theorist, philosopher, and critic, 1915-1980
"Barthes' ideas explored a diverse range of fields and he influenced the development of many schools of theory, including structuralism, semiotics, social theory, design theory, anthropology, and post-structuralism. He was particularly known for developing and extending the field of semiotics through the analysis of a variety of sign systems mainly derived from middle to upper class, occidental popular culture. Barthes' work ""Mythologies"" (1957) is a collection taken from his bi-monthly essays for the magazine ""Les Lettres nouvelles"", where he is examining the tendency of contemporary social value systems to create modern myths."
Source:
French philosopher and semiotician (1915-1980). Typed letter signed. Paris. 18.01.1973. 1 p. 4to.
$ 2,785 / 2.500 €
(62382/BN45643)
To Madame Irma Antonetti of the Italian Cultural Association (Associazione Culturale Italiana) in Turin, thanking her for her letter and the specifications that are useful to him. Barthes tells her that he thinks they will be able to complete the programme by writing to each other in the end of February. In general and as far as possible, he prefers taking the train rather than the plane: "Si le dimanche 1er Avril est libre, peut-être essaierai-je de le passer à Venise" ("If Sunday 1st of April is free, I will perhaps try to spend it in Venice").
- Barthes ends his letter by asking Madame Antonetti whether it is his task to take care of the tickets Paris-Turin and Bari-Paris, by thanking her once more for all this and by sending his respectful greetings to her. - On headed paper; with punched holes (not touching text)..
French philosopher and semiotician (1915-1980). Typed letter signed. Paris. 18.03.1972. 1 p. 4to.
$ 2,228 / 2.000 €
(62383/BN45644)
To [Madame Irma Antonetti of the Italian Cultural Association (Associazione Culturale Italiana) in Turin]. Barthes excuses himself for his late reply and explains that he had to leave Paris which complicated his mail. He gladly accepts the invitation to give a lecture tour according to the programme that Madame Antonetti has indicated. Barthes says that they could fix the date of this tour, if she liked to (as for his part he would prefer the tour to take place at the earliest or at the latest possible in 72-73 due to his university obligations in Paris).
"Quant au sujet de la conférence, votre connaissance du public pourrait m'aider à le préciser et vos suggestions à cet égard seront les bienvenues" ("Regarding the subject of the lecture, your knowledge of the public could help me to define it and your suggestions on the topic will be very welcome"). Barthes ends his letter by thanking Madame Antonetti for her confidence and by sending his respectful greetings to her. - On headed paper; with punched holes (not touching text)..
French philosopher and semiotician (1915-1980). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 01.02.1972. 2 pp. Oblong 8vo.
$ 3,899 / 3.500 €
(62384/BN45645)
To [Madame Irma Antonetti of the Italian Cultural Association (Associazione Culturale Italiana) in Turin]. Barthes thanks her for her invitation and tells her he feels the greatest desire to accept it but he has major difficulties with his time management. "Aussi avant de vous répondre, voulez-vous avoir la gentillesse de me préciser d'un mot les villes que je devrais visiter et la durée totale (en jours) de ce voyage?" ("Also before answering you, would you have the kindness to let me know in one word which cities I would have to visit and the total duration of this journey (in days)?"). Barthes promises to answer by return mail. - On headed paper; with punched holes (not touching text).
French philosopher and semiotician (1915-1980). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 10.03.1973. 1 p. 4to.
$ 3,899 / 3.500 €
(62385/BN45646)
To [Madame Irma Antonetti of the Italian Cultural Association (Associazione Culturale Italiana) in Turin]. Barthes lets her know that his Italian journey approaches. He confirms that he himself will take the ticket Paris-Turin. He will arrive in Turin Thursday 29 March at 21H47 by train and he will go to Hotel Turin where he will doubtlessly have a note from her. As agreed upon Barthes will leave the other tickets to be taken by Madame Antonetti: by train, surely, from Trieste to Milan as he would like to stop in Venice; doubtlessly by plane from Milan to Rome and from Rome to Bari.
Barthes would like to return to Paris by plane on Friday 6 April during the day. Barthes ends his letter by thanking Madame Antonetti for all this and by sending his respectful greetings to her. - On headed paper; with punched holes (not touching text)..
French philosopher and semiotician (1915-1980). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 01.05.1977. 1 p. 4to.
$ 3,899 / 3.500 €
(62386/BN45647)
To [Madame Irma Antonetti of the Italian Cultural Association (Associazione Culturale Italiana) in Turin]. Barthes thanks her for her letter and her proposal. He has kept a very good remembrance of his collaboration with the ACI (Associazione Culturale Italiana, Italian Cultural Association). Most unfortunately, he does not travel any more: "la santé de ma mère n'est pas bonne, je dois rester beaucoup auprès d'elle et je ne peux pas envisager aucun déplacement" ("my mother's health is not good, I have to stay close to her a lot and I cannot consider any movement").
- Barthes regrets this very much and thanks Madame Antonetti for having thought of him, expressing his respectful sympathy for her. - On headed paper; with punched holes (not touching text)..
French philosopher and semiotician (1915-1980). Autograph calling card signed ("RB"). [Paris]. 22.03.1972. 2 pp. 32mo.
$ 1,671 / 1.500 €
(62387/BN45648)
To [Madame Irma Antonetti of the Italian Cultural Association (Associazione Culturale Italiana) in Turin]. Barthes thanks her for her word, telling her that they could arrange his timetable the way she liked. "mais je vous demande de ne pas trop le charger, à cause de ma santé" ("but I ask you not to overcharge it because of my health"). Barthes asks her whether it would be possible for him to have free moments. In Turin contact should be made with Davico at Einaudi (i. e. Guido Davico Bonino, born in 1938, professor of theatre history at the University of Turin, worked for the publisher Einaudi from 1961 to 1978).
Barthes ends his letter by thanking her. - With punched hole (slightly touching text)..