Collection of 10 autograph letters signed ("Georges" or "Mathieu"), 2 autograph postcards signed, 1 typed letter with 2 handwritten lines signed, 2 autograph letters, and 3 autograph dedications.

Published by [Paris], Gstaad, and Saint-Tropez, 1965-1967 and n. d.

  • Hardcover
  • Manuscript / Paper Collectible
  • Used
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Seller: Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, Vienna, A, AustriaAntiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH

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AbeBooks seller since November 22, 2000

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Hardcover

Condition: Used

£ 5,640.78

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Item description from seller

Various formats. Altogether 50 pp. With four autograph envelopes. In French. Correspondence with his art dealer and friend Raymond Nacenta (1899-1979), director of the Galerie Charpentier in Paris, concerning upcoming exhibitions, artistic projects, payments, and holidays (among other subjects). Mathieu’s style of writing is hyperbolic and bursts with enthusiasm, often matched by expressive calligraphy. In the longest letter in this collection, one of only two dated letters, Mathieu showers Nacenta with thanks and compliments: "The benefits of which I found myself the object by your care [.] are too great to be the external mark of my merit in spite of the very particular esteem that you seem to have made of my person [.] Happy; yes, you have made me happier than I can say [.] Your generosity is so much greater in intention than that of the Great Alexander that it can never be rewarded by the thanks I could give. Ah, if I were allowed at least to grant you the diadem of the Persians or the praises of Homer! [.]" (25 April 1966). In a letter in red ink, dated to 24 June with no year, Mathieu describes his anticipation of a coming exhibition: "I am thus living my last days of calm before undertaking the greatest battles of my history. Bloody adventure, where it will please me to triumph with You". - In a letter that can be dated to 1971-72, Mathieu mentions to Nacenta that he had met President Pompidou and told him that "he will receive a charming medal". The letter closes with one of Mathieu's starkest hyperboles: "I curse the merchants who make me work in the cold of my icy workshop, and I curse the muses who seem to have abandoned me. In this season the cows would keep me warmer. What am I, alas, the little Jesus!". In 1972, a tin medal designed by Mathieu was issued to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Fifth Republic. Five years earlier, Mathieu had designed a bronze medal for the French railway company SNCF. On 20 Nov. 1967 Mathieu sent to Nacenta a zinc mould and some proofs necessary for casting the medal. In the accompanying letter, Mathieu states that he had talked to the general secretary of SNCF, Jules Antonini, and was ready to accept his payment in vouchers. - Mathieu was highly interested in French art and design of the 17th and 18th centuries. In the letters he mentions Charles LeBrun, Antoine Watteau, and the sculptors Philippe Caffieri and Pierre Lepautre who, for Mathieu, is "the incarnation of that so French measure which I flee from and which I need so much". In a postcard from Gstaad that is embellished with a beautiful calligraphic drawing in blue and red ballpoint, Mathieu exclaims: "Long live the masterpieces and artisanal rehabilitation", a motto that resonates with his art historical interests. A contemporary artist mentioned in the correspondence is Pierre-Yves Trémoin who "seems to be enchanted by the commission that you gave him". With respect to his own work, Mathieu reminds Nacenta: "You have forgotten that I was 'anti lithography of luxury numbered even for good works'" and therefore instead offered a gouache that "will not be multiplied". The two postcards are co-signed by a mutual friend named Solange, possibly the former actress and collector Solange Turenne. - All letters on Mathieu’s personal stationery with an embossed print of his design "Moult de Parte". This design reappears in three red seals on one of the envelopes. The brown ink and calligraphy of the address on this large cardboard envelope match the letter from 25 April 1966. Minor browning to the margins and occasional minor tears. Well preserved with traces of folds and some buckles.…

Seller Inventory # 57120

Bibliographic details

Title
Collection of 10 autograph letters signed ("Georges" or "Mathieu"), 2 autograph postcards signed, 1 typed letter with 2 handwritten lines signed, 2 autograph letters, and 3 autograph dedications.
Author
Mathieu, Georges, French painter (1921-2012).
Publisher
[Paris], Gstaad, and Saint-Tropez, 1965-1967 and n. d.
Binding
Hardcover
Seller catalogs
Autographs: Art

Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH

Vienna, A, Austria

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since November 22, 2000

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Store description

We have been dealing in valuable books, manuscripts, and autographs since 1883. As members of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), the Verband der Antiquare Österreichs (Austrian association of antiquarian booksellers), as well as the Verband deutscher Antiquare e.V. (German association of antiquarian booksellers), we are bound by these organizations' code of ethics. A large proportion of our customers is made up of institutions, including renowned international universities and major state libraries. We keep contact with our private customers at international book fairs and through our online catalogues. You are welcome to visit us on our business premises from Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM. We are happy to take buying orders for the important book auctions in Germany and Austria, which we attend regularly. We dedicate special attention to the estates and archives of important personalities of the arts and sciences in European and world history. Through specially prepared archive catalogues we have been able to sell the archives of Viktor Léon (librettist, 1859-1940), Leo Fall (operetta composer, 1873-1925), Lotte Lehmann (singer, 1888-1976), Otto Tressler (actor, 1871-1865) and Max Reinhardt (director, 1873-1743), as well as the last privately owned important original manuscripts by Ludwig Wittgenstein (philosopher, 1889-1951). Along the lines of this specialization our buying policy concentrates especially on these fields.…

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Alte Drucke, Cinquencentine, Autographs, Incunabula, Estates and archives of important personalities, Early science, History, Early printing, Manuscripts

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Seller's business information

Inlibris, Handelsgesellschaft für antiquarische Bücher und Drucke GmbH

Rathausstrasse 19/27
Wien, Austria 1010