BEHAINE (René) 1880-1966 - Approx. 140 L.A.S.... - Lot 22 - Vermot et Associés

BEHAINE (René) 1880-1966 - Approx. 140 L.A.S. (one incomplete), 1914-1919, and 1930-1935, to publisher Bernard GRASSET or to ,his director Louis BRUN. Approx. 250 pages in various formats, numerous envelopes and addresses. IMPORTANT LITERARY CORRESPONDENCE, sometimes facetious, sometimes acrimonious, concerning "L'Histoire d'une société" and the writer's relationship with his publishing house: moods, manuscript promseses, publication schedule, proofs, advertising, remuneration, distribution, possibility of a Goncourt Prize, approaches for the Nobel Prize (thanks in particular to Pierre de Bénouville), etc....The letters are addressed first to Bernard Grasset, then increasingly and mostly to his "dauphin", the "prieur", the "hyper-director" of Editions Grasset Louis BRUN (one to Madame, one to Gabriel Brunet), with whom Béhaine developed a close friendship. Very rich correspondence, most of it written from his home in Les Rastines, Antibes, some illustrated with amusing drawings. Enclosed: a.s. manuscript of a "Avant-Propos", introduction to his "Histoire d'une société" (4p. in-4); autograph manuscript of a fanciful notice about him and his work: "René Béhaine, né en 1642...". (4 p. in-8); a heavily corrected and commented Grasset contract for "O peuple infortuné" (Grasset 1936); 15 pages of proofs of "Conquête de la vie" (Grasset, 1924); a Grasset publicity brochure devoted to the first 7 volumes of "Histoire d'une société" (1930); and 11 amateur photographs of Béhaine.