"With a bit of luck, "La Nuit du Rose-Hotel" could reach you by June 27th and, for the very little part I had in its coming to light, give substance to the fervent wishes that I never cease to form for you."
900€
André Breton (1896.1966)
Autograph letter signed to Maurice Fourré.
A quarto page. Paris. June 4, 1950.
André Breton finishes his preface to Maurice Fourré's first novel, La Nuit du Rose-Hotel, published by Gallimard by the young 74-year-old writer.
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“Dear Sir, I have carefully reviewed the proofs of the preface. Did I tell you that the typos that appeared in the Notebooks were due to Jean Paulhan having omitted to submit the composed text to me? The correction concerning the date and place of insertion of your first tale 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 an order to me.
I hope that it is not you who is disguised by the appearance of this "admirer" with her hands full of rare gifts and whose description by you leaves me at the height of curiosity (and desire). With a little luck "The Night of the Rose-Hotel" could reach you by this June 27 and, for the very little part that I had in its coming to light, give substance to the fervent wishes that I never cease to form for you. André Breton."
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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.
Novel-poem with erotic overtones La Nuit du Rose-Hôtel aroused an enthusiastic welcome from Gaston Bachelard and Jean Cocteau, but was shunned by the public.
Strongly marked by this failure and by the criticism, Fourré nevertheless wrote three other novels before his death in 1959.