Jean COCTEAU - Beautiful illustrated letter to Jean Marais - Christmas 1942.

Jean Cocteau (1889.1963)

Autograph letter signed to Jean Marais.

A quarto page decorated with a drawing.

Paris. Christmas 1942.

“We will stay talking about you and waiting for you. »

Beautiful illustrated letter from Cocteau – written in his name and that of Paul Morihien – addressed to his eternal lover, Jean Marais. On Christmas Eve, Cocteau recounts, with love, the theatrical projects and cinematographic releases which fill the hours of separation.

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“ You can imagine the beautiful tree full of stars and lights of glory that we are setting up in your room! we will even hang bones there for Moulou [Tristan's dog in The Eternal Return by Jean Delannoy]. My Jeannot the committee gives us the date of March 15. This gives you time to finish Carmen and allows me to rehearse the piece. So on this side everything looks good and our sky protects us.

Today I don't think our Royal Palace takes part in any celebrations. We will stay talking about you and waiting for you. It is of all the festivals, the most beautiful. I don't ask for any other. I'm going to see what's happening with your mother and go see mine tomorrow. Last night, I went with Gilbert [Gilbert Gilles] to the film “Letters of Love” which is just a soap bubble but very round and very iridescent. Charming show where I really like François Périer. Think of us as we think of you. I kiss you from the bottom of my heart. Jeans "

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In 1941, in the midst of the German occupation, Jean Marais, who had been Cocteau's companion since February 1938, met Paul Morihien. The two men became lovers. Cocteau clearly did not seem jealous of this affair which, moreover, took place under his own roof. He welcomed Morihien so warmly that he quickly became his secretary.