Autograph letter signed.
12mo. 2 pp. on bifolium. With autograph envelope.
€ 250.00
To the playwright and librettist Philippe Gille, concerning the publication of a play that Labiche and Galle had co-authored. Labiche informs Gille that he has taken 30 copies for himself and gave one to "a Prussian", although he did not "seem to take the bait". Gille, on his part, should try to profit from his "connections to Vienna" in order "to make something of this little act". In closing, Labiche estimates their not yet satisfactory revenues. The letter in full: "Notre brochure a paru chez Dentu. Faites prendre les exemplaires dont vous aurez besoin. J'en ai pris 30. Je ferai le service du théâtre. J'ai donné aussi une brochure à un Prussien mais il n'a pas l'air de mordre. Voyez donc de votre côté si vous pouvez utiliser vos relations à Vienne pour tirer quelque chose de ce petit acte.
On ne nous joue pas aujourd'hui, je n'ai pas fait le compte, mais il me semble impossible que nous ayons déjà atteint un 5000 francs".
The play in question can be identified as the comedy "Garanti dix ans" (Paris, Dentu, 1874). Philippe Gille (1831-1901) is best known today for his co-authoring the librettos for Léo Delibes' opera "Lakmé" with Edmond Gondinet and Jules Massenet's "Manon" with Henri Meilhac.
On stationery with embossed monogram "EL". Minimally stained.