Émile ZOLA supports the Russian translator Halpérine-Kaminsky.

Emile Zola (1840.1902)

Autograph letter signed to Marcellin Berthelot.

Two pages in-8°. Collector's stamp partially crossed out.

Slnd [late 1895, early 1896]

"He was one of the initiators and one of the most zealous architects of the intellectual union between France and Russia."

As president of the Committee of the Society of Gens of Letters, Émile Zola gave his strong support to Ely Halpérine-Kaminsky's request to the ministry.

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"To Mr. Berthelot, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dear Minister, I take the liberty of warmly recommending to your kindness Mr. Halpérine-Kaminsky, who has rendered real services to French writers. As President of the Committee of the Société des Gens de Lettres, I have been able to appreciate the excellent results, from the point of view of literary property, that he has obtained in Russia, where our literary and artistic societies, as well as the publishers' unions, had delegated him to defend their interests. These results, moreover, have been publicly noted by the French and foreign press. All international literary congresses have voted him thanks, and our ambassador in Saint Petersburg himself has testified highly to the success of the delicate mission entrusted to him. I add that Mr. Halpérine-Kaminsky has made known to us, through his studies and his numerous translations, the masterpieces of Russian literature. As a publicist, as a press attaché at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally as a Russian language teacher at the Lycée Condorcet, he was one of the initiators and one of the most zealous artisans of the intellectual union between France and Russia . I can therefore only warmly support the request he wishes to address to you to obtain a post abroad, a post in which he will certainly be as useful as in the past to France, his adopted country . Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurance of my highest consideration. Émile Zola. President of the Committee of the Société des Gens de Lettres.

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Ely Halpérine-Kaminsky (1856.1936), naturalized French in 1890, was one of the greatest Franco-Russian translators of the late 19th century.