Jean Cocteau, in despair, mourns the death of Raymond Radiguet. 1923.

Jean Cocteau (1889.1963)

Autographed letter signed to the French director, Jacques Catelain

One page in quarto. Autograph envelope, stamped and postmarked.

[Paris] rue d'Anjou. December 19, 1923.

"Radiguet is giving me yet another lesson in etiquette."

A very moving letter from Cocteau, overwhelmed by the death of Raymond Radiguet which had occurred a few days earlier.

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"My dear Catelain, The thing that could not happen has happened. Now it is a perfect thing. Radiguet is giving me yet another lesson in etiquette. I am lying down, I am only ill, I imitate him poorly . I will never forget, under any circumstances, your kind letter. Jean Cocteau"

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Raymond Radiguet, struck down by typhoid fever, died on December 12, 1923. In his delirium, he declared: "  I am afraid, in three days I will be shot by God's soldiers.  "