COLETTE sends her friendly greetings at the dawn of the last year of the war.

Sidonie Gabrielle Colette , known as COLETTE (1873-1954)

Autographed letter signed to her friend Twinka.

Three octavo pages on patterned paper.

[January 1 ^, 1945, according to a note in pencil]

Floral collage topped with a butterfly, at the top.

Colette sends her friendly greetings at the dawn of the last year of the war.

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"My dearest Twinka, Happy New Year, good legs (mine are a demon), good luck… This 'interpreted' butterfly grazing on forget-me-nots carries wishes surely too heavy for its wings. Maurice is finishing his flu, but isn't going out yet. We're an old married couple, quite at the mercy of the barometer and thermometer. Vava told me on the phone that the keeper of your butterflies is in a clinic and quite seriously ill. I pity him suffering, and in such an anonymous place. The human beast doesn't like being sick away from home. My dearest Twinka, I selfishly hope for the day when I see you expertly carving anything delicious, something your presence makes even better. I embrace you with very tender friendship, and Maurice is your very respectful Maurice. Colette."