Pierre-Jean de Béranger
French poet and chansonnier, 1780-1857
"Béranger enjoyed great popularity and influence in France during his lifetime, but faded into obscurity in the decades following his death. He has been described as ""the most popular French songwriter of all time"" and ""the first superstar of French popular music"". Like all chansonniers, he wrote lyrics but did not compose any music; he set the words to a pre-existing melody such as a folk tune. The songs of Béranger are elaborate, written in a clear and sparkling style, full of wit and incision. It is not so much for any lyrical flow as for the happy turn of phrase that they claim merit."
Source: Wikipedia
Lyriker und Liedtexter (1780–1857). Autograph letter signed („Béranger“). [Paris], „rue de martyrs no. 23“. 1 S. auf Doppelblatt. Gr.-8vo. Mit eh. Adresse (Faltbrief).
$ 426 / 400 €
(24801)
To a painter named Scheffer – presumably Ary Scheffer (1795–1858) –, asking him to give one of his drawings to Madame Alphée de Vatry for her album: „[...] J’ai promis, parceque je ne sais point encore refuser aux jolies femmes ce qu’elles demandent [...]“. – Somewhat wrinkled and browned, and with small clipped section due to broken seal (not touching text).
Lyriker und Liedtexter (1780–1857). Autograph letter signed („Béranger“). O. O. 1 S. auf Doppelblatt. 8vo. Mit eh. Adresse (Faltbrief).
$ 426 / 400 €
(24802)
To „Monsieur Martin fils“, whose letter he has forwarded, and telling him what is going on in that case: „[...] Voyez-donc encore M[onsieur] Benieres [...] et assurez le qu’il trouvera M. Laff[itte] bien préparé à entendre la proposition qui vous concerne; au moins, ai-je fait tout pour cela [...]“. – Somewhat wrinkled and dusty, and with small clipped section due to broken seal (not touching text).
Lyriker und Liedtexter (1780–1857). Autograph letter signed. Fontainebleau. 2½ SS. auf Doppelblatt. 8vo. Mit eh. Adresse (Faltbrief).
$ 426 / 400 €
(24803)
To Monsieur Clairmont, with an extensive review on poems Clairmont has sent him: „Vous dire que j’ai déjà lu vos trois poèmes serait un gros mensonge, mais vous assurer, que ce que j’en ai lu m’a donné un vif désir de trouver le tem[p]s d’achever cette lecture c’est vous parler serieusement [...]“. – Fol. 2 with small clipped section due to broken seal (not touching text); traces of folding.
Lyriker und Liedtexter (1780–1857). Autograph letter signed („Béranger“). Paris. 2 SS. auf Doppelblatt. Gr.-8vo. Mit eh. Adresse (Faltbrief).
$ 479 / 450 €
(24804)
To Monsieur A. Chaulon: „Il m’a enfin été possible, Monsieur, de lire [...] le volume de vos nouvelles poésies [...] vous êtes homme d’esprit et de talent [...]“. – Small defect on f. 2 from opening the letter (no loss to text).
French poet (1780-1857). Autograph letter signed ("Béranger"). Paris. 03.11.1844. 8vo (205 x 130 mm). 3 pp. on a bifolium with integral address panel to verso.
$ 1,277 / 1.200 €
(33838/BN29408)
To the wife of a Parisian police official, making enquiries about the female perpetrator of an acid attack on an unfaithful lover. A very intriguing letter in which the poet, chansonnier and champion of social justice asks for information from the wife of one Brissot-Thivars, employed by Préfecture de Police, on behalf of the family of a young girl imprisoned at St. Lazare for having thrown vitriol in the face of an unfaithful lover. Béranger seems sympathetic, and had obviously been approached by the girl’s family as a result of his reputation as a friend to the unfortunate, especially they young.
He writes that the girl, the daughter of a General who had been cruelly treated by the Restoration, and who was previously of good character finds herself imprisoned with common prostitutes. Béranger seems to be taking advantage of his friend Madame Brissot-Thivars' connections, and requests discretion, asking that his name is not mentioned in connection with the affair and that M. Brissot-Thivars knows nothing of his enquiry. He writes that if she cannot help she may simply burn the letter. This "crime passionnel" of vitriol-throwing reached epidemic proportions in Paris later in the century and caused major social concern. - Four original folds, slight staining, but clean overall. Provenance: Liepmannssohn, Berlin..
French poet (1780-1857). Autograph letter signed ("Béranger"). Passy. 20.11.1833. 4to. 1 p. on bifolium. With autogr. address.
$ 213 / 200 €
(936116/BN936116)
In French, to Count Antoine Cartier d'Aure "au Ministère de la Guerre".