Baudelaire's article on Théophile Gaultier
Autograph letter signed ("Ch. Baudelaire").
8vo. 2 pp. on bifolium. With autograph address.
€ 6.500,00
To the journalist and editor Paul Mantz (1821-95), apologizing for a further delay in the completion of his famous article on Théophile Gautier for "L'Artiste". Baudelaire cites obligations for "La Revue Contemporaine" as the cause but promises to finish immediately afterwards. He hopes that the article will be "good enough" for Mantz and Gautier, himself an editor at "L'Artiste", to excuse "such tardiness". In closing, Baudelaire announces that he is keen to write a review of Charles Asselineau’s "La double vie" as soon as the Gautier article is done: "Il faut que vous m'excusiez une fois, une seule fois encore. Je suis repris par la Revue Contemporaine pour 5 jours et l'article Gautier n'est qu'à moitié chemin. Je ne pourrai donc m'y remettre que mardi, et la journée de mardi suffira pour le finir. Il y a encore du caricaturisme à l'imprimerie, et c’est même la partie la plus ennuyante; croyez que je suis très honteux, mais j’espère que l’article sera assez bien fait pour que Théophile et vous me pardonniez tant d’inexactitude. Je tiens vivement à me charger du livre d'Asselineau (la Double vie). L’article sera fait le lendemain du Gautier [...]".
Baudelaire’s article on Théophile Gautier ultimately appeared on 13 March 1859, whereas the review of "La double vie" appeared as early as 9 January 1859, both in "L'Artiste". Later in 1859, the Gautier article would appear as a monograph with a congratulatory letter by Victor Hugo to Baudelaire serving as its preface. Charles Asselineau (1820-74) was one Baudelaire's closest friends and had supported the first publication of "Les Fleurs du Mal" in 1857. He also wrote the first biography of Baudelaire, published in 1869.
Traces of folds. A tear from breaking the seal; insignificant tears and some browning.
