Guillaume APOLLINAIRE writes to Lou about his desires for erotic pleasures.

Guillaume Apollinaire (1980.1918)

Autograph letter signed to Louise de Coligny-Châtillon, known as Lou.

Two pages in-4° on cream paper.

Fragility in the central fold and tiny gaps around the edges.

April 24, 1913 [for 1915]

« I will introduce you to many strange, refined, unique things, of which you have no idea with all your mind and of which I have not yet spoken with you, because for that you need royal minds who understand each other. and understand each other in everything, for everything and despite everything. »

Tender letter from Apollinaire, with erotic accents, wishing to introduce to the pleasures of the flesh his “very darling” Lou who occasionally stays with him. Lou discovers the poet's sulfurous library.

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“ You think, my dearest, if the story of Lou giving a party to his friends in the dovecote or perch of Guillaume Apollinaire amused me. Besides, you have not seen this perch in its splendor with its precious Negro and Chinese statues, its beautiful paintings. As you see, it doesn't give the idea that it's actually in peacetime. So, my little Lou, it was De figuris that you came across, it is a classic erotology manual ; it deals with all forms of kissing, but as far as I remember there is little mention of your dear vice. Forberg's notes are also well done and indicate a profound knowledge of antiquity, but when I see you again, I will make you know this antiquity much better if it interests you and other forms of kissing that are even deeper, and of spintries [matings with several partners] better arranged. Please, Lou, don't show my letters, under any circumstances, if you want me to write to you as I do, without embarrassing myself, and as to someone whose soul I consider very, very close from mine. The De figuris , which are only notes, hors d'oeuvres, as that chaste Forberg said in Greek, have the mistake of being a compilation, it is pedantic like all compilations. You will also find at my house several of the works from which Forberg gives extracts: thus Félicia or my Fredaines in 4 or 5 editions, one of which bound in lemon half-maroquin is the best, that of 1793 and others, among including the edition of Félicia that I reissued last year. In any case, darling, don't make me steal my books. There are very good people who have no qualms about stealing books or borrowing them without ever returning them. So don't lend it to anyone . We now have too much difficulty finding curious books. I'm very happy that you enjoy being at my place. If I see you there again, I will introduce you to many strange, refined, unique things, of which you have no idea with all your mind and of which I have not yet spoken with you, because for that you need royal spirits who agree and understand each other in everything, for everything and despite everything. And you will thus know many riddles, your mind will broaden, your intelligence will take on all the growth it deserves, my darling. But, you have to be worthy of that... you have to remain worthy of us... you like me. As for me, I have always done what I could to be worthy of myself in front of myself ; then I have all the rights for myself in front of me. Toutou [ Gustave Toutaint] asks for my address. I wrote him a card almost a week ago. Tomorrow, I will write to you at length, the vaguemaster is coming, I have to finish things up. I kiss you a thousand times, a thousand times, Lou! Mistletoe . »

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Guillaume Apollinaire met Louise de Coligny-Châtillon (1881-1963) in September 1914 during his stay in Nice where he was awaiting his military incorporation. He immediately falls in love with her. On December 6, 1914, he left to join the 38th field artillery regiment in barracks in Nîmes. Lou joined Apollinaire in Nîmes in mid-December 1914 and both spent more than a week at the Hôtel du Midi, exploring together a sensuality that would long fuel the dreams of the poet confronted with the horrors of war.

A connoisseur of erotic literature, Apollinaire evokes here his copy of a famous but extremely rare Renaissance treatise, L'Hermaphroditus by Antonio Beccadelli known as "The Palermitan", published for the first time in 1824 by the German philosopher and philologist Friedrich Karl Forberg and translated into French by Alcide Bonneau in 1882 under the title of De Figuris Veneris [Forms of the Kiss], as well as the work of the knight Andrea de Nerciat, author of the libertine story, Félicia ou Mes fredaines .