French poet and first Nobel Laureate for Literature (1839-1907). Autograph letter signed and lithographed document signed. Paris. 8vo. 2 pp. on bifolium and oblong 12mo.
$ 343 / 320 €
(85983/BN56677)
To the brother of a recently deceased poet, declining the offer to take an active role in a posthumous edition. Prudhomme expresses his sympathy and accepts a dedication but cites his work on the preface for the posthumous edition of Paul Delair's poetry "Testament poétique, poésies posthumes" (Paris, 1895) and his poor health as reasons for declining the offer to participate: "Je suis profondément ému de la communication que vous avez eu la pensée toute sympathique de me faire. J’ai appris avec une peine très vive la fin de votre excellent frère.