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

Sidonie Gabrielle Colette , known as COLETTE (1873.1954)

Autograph letter signed to her friend Twinka.

Three octavo pages on patterned paper.

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

Floral collage topped with a butterfly, at the top.

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

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“Dearest Twinka, Happy New Year, good legs (mine are a demon), good luck… This “interpreted” butterfly grazing on forget-me-nots brings you wishes that are surely too heavy for its wings. Maurice is over his flu, but isn’t going out yet. We are an old couple, very much subject to the whims of the barometer and the thermometer. Vava told me on the phone that the keeper of your butterflies is in a clinic and quite seriously ill. I feel sorry for him for being suffering and in such an anonymous place. The human beast doesn’t like to be sick outside its lair. Dearest Twinka, I selfishly hope for the day when I see you expertly cutting anything very good, which your presence makes better. I embrace you with very tender friendship, and Maurice is your very respectful Maurice. Colette.”