Philippe SOUPAULT wants to have “Magnetic Fields” illustrated.

Philippe SOUPAULT (1897.1990)

Autographed letter signed to Jacques Le Maréchal.

One and a half pages in quarto.

Paris. September 9, 1958.

"What's needed is the ability to be free."

Philippe Soupault and André Breton asked Le Maréchal to illustrate their collection Les Champs magnétiques.

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"My dear Marshal, Thank you for your letter, and I apologize for not replying sooner. I was in Portugal, and when I returned to Paris, I was very rushed. But I was thinking of you often. I am very pleased that you are enjoying yourself in Vienna and that an exhibition is being organized. I received the poster-manifesto for 'The Marshal.' I hope your exhibition will be as successful as it deserves.".

I had copies made of *Magnetic Fields* and I'm sending you one. Would you like to read it? I sincerely hope you could make copper engravings for *Magnetic Fields*. Please consider it. It would be a great joy for me if you would illustrate this book, which is extremely important to me. I have the impression that André Breton also very much wants you to engrave illustrations. He may be a little skeptical and finds it tiresome to discuss things with publishers. But I'm sure that when the book is ready to be published, he will be very happy.

My dear Marshal, I apologize for asking you for an effort which I know is difficult and arduous . But you are capable, when you so choose, of overcoming difficulties. Write to me. How are you living in Vienna? Are you enjoying it? Was your exhibition a success?

Dear Marshal, I haven't forgotten you. I often dream of your paintings and drawings . And I agree with you. I'm working a lot at the moment. It's necessary, but sometimes I'd like to think about something other than my work. What's important is being able to be free . I look forward to hearing from you. All my best, Philippe Soupault.