"With a bit of luck, 'The Night of the Rose-Hotel' might reach you by June 27th and, given the very small part I had in its creation, give substance to the fervent wishes I constantly have for you."
900€
André Breton (1896.1966)
Autographed letter signed to Maurice Fourré.
One page in quarto. Paris. June 4, 1950.
André Breton concludes his preface to Maurice Fourré's first novel, La Nuit du Rose-Hotel, published by Gallimard by the 74-year-old writer.
______________________________________________
“My dearest Sir, I have carefully reviewed the proofs of the preface. Did I mention that the typos that appeared in the Notebooks were due to Jean Paulhan's failure to submit the composed text to me? The correction concerning the date and place of insertion of your first story has been made. Needless to say, the desire expressed by the appearance of the words “Ile de Sein – Forêt de Paimpont” in one of your dreams (which touches me deeply) was, for me, an imperative.”
I hope it is not you disguised by the appearance of this "admirer" with her hands full of rare gifts, whose description by you leaves me brimming with curiosity (and desire). With a bit of luck, "The Night of the Rose-Hotel" might reach you by June 27th and, for the very small part I had in its creation, give substance to the fervent wishes I constantly cherish for you. André Breton.
______________________________________________
Maurice Fourré (1876-1959) began his writing career at the respectable age of 74, with the publication of his novel La Nuit du Rose-Hôtel in the "Révélation" collection specially created by André Breton at Gallimard. The novel has a preface by Breton.
The novel-poem with erotic overtones, La Nuit du Rose-Hôtel, was enthusiastically received by Gaston Bachelard and Jean Cocteau, but was shunned by the public.
Deeply affected by this failure and by the criticism, Fourré nevertheless wrote three more novels before his death in 1959.