The Confessions of Paul VERLAINE a few days before his death.

Paul Verlaine (1844.1896)

Autographed card signed to Edouard Dujardin.

One oblong octavo page. Collector's stamp crossed out on the back.

Autograph address and postal cancellations. Paris. December 20, 1895.

"I have reflected on your proposals concerning the second part of my Confessions ."

A few days before his death, Verlaine was still negotiating his fees for the continuation of his Confessions.

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“My dear friend, I have been reflecting on your proposals concerning the second part of my Confessions . They seem rather petty to me. Instead of 10 sous a line—a reasonable price for a standard volume ( reasonable? YES! )—it's barely the price of an article by a beginner who's just starting to earn some money . So, let me know your other intentions, come and see me, we'll talk in good faith and friendship. And what about the first edition of the book that might be getting boring? I'm staying in my room. And you? I hope your jaundice is cured. Yours, P. Verlaine.”

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In 1885, Edouard Dujardin and Téodor de Wyzewa founded the Revue Wagnérienne. The following year, Dujardin became the editor of the Revue Indépendante ; there he published his first short story, Les Lauriers sont coupés, in 1887.

Attentive to the wandering life of poor Verlaine, Dujardin became the publisher of his Confessions , which Louis Anquetin illustrated with a striking profile.

A few days after this letter, Verlaine died on January 8, 1896, in his apartment at 39 rue Descartes in Paris.