Saint Pol Roux - Bouc émissaire [joint une très belle lettre autographe de l'auteur — 1/100 sur Hollande] - 1889-1889

Bouc Emissaire de Saint-Pol Roux, original confidential edition (1899), on Holland paper
Exceptional autographed letter, long, highly personal, with literary and friendly content (2 pages, dated, signed SPR).

SAINT-POL-ROUX - Scapegoat (1899)
Rare original edition on Dutch paper + signed autograph letter of two pages.

Scapegoat
Author: Saint-Pol Roux (1861-1940)
Publisher: Imprimerie de la Vie Moderne / Saint-Pol Roux
Date: June 1899
Format: Plaquette in-8 (approx. 28 x 19 cm)
26 pages, careful typography with decorative banners.
Dutch paper, limited to 100 copies (plus 5 Imperial Japan copies)

Volume not trimmed. The covers serve as a cover page. The body of the booklet is detached from the covers. This appears to be original because no traces indicate that the pages were sewn or glued. The existing notices do not mention this, but many copies are found bound. Doubt is allowed, hence the mention 'detached booklet' (original or not).

Very confidential print run, reserved for friends, journalists, and correspondents of the poet. Non-commercial brochure.

Condition: very good overall. Interior very fresh, noble paper, without foxing. Clean covers. No restoration. Pure copy, bibliophilic, ideal for a symbolist / fin-de-siècle collection.

This poem was dedicated to Jean Richepin in 1889. The 'Bouc Emissaire' was first published in a review, then as a small booklet (the copy here present), before being included in the collection 'Anciennetes' in 1903.

Excerpt (beginning):
The Hebrew eyes make a ring at the Tabernacle.
Where the pardon that Israel bargains for takes root.
Jehovah contemplates the offense within his dwelling.
Of fragrant sittim, the work of Besalel.
This dream is covered with purple, hyacinth,
Crimson; slender gold columns.
They are the clear guardians, and their baseboard is of silver.
The incense shrouds a veil of greed over the treasure...




Handwritten letter (2 pages, in-8 size, double-sided)

Support: thin verge paper, bluish tint, visible central fold.
Format: approx. 26 x 20 cm
Front and back letter, about 35 lines (excluding greetings), in black ink, with ample and characteristic handwriting of Saint-Pol Roux.

Place and date: Manoir de Coecilian, November 11, 1933.

Saint-Pol Roux has lived since 1903 in this manor overlooking the sea at Camaret. He hosts many artists there (Andre Antoine, Victor Segalen, Alfred Vallette, Max Jacob, Andre Breton, Louis-Ferdinand Celine, Jean Moulin...).
Drama in 1940: a German soldier kills the governess, injures her daughter Denise, plunders the manor, and destroys his manuscripts. The poet dies in 1940 as a result of this shock.

Signature: SPR monogram
Recipient: Jean Royère, poet, critic, director of the journal "Le Manuscrit Autographe" and of "La Phalange".




Transcription complete

House of Coecilian
November 11, 1933

Old Brother

I hope you received my sending for your autograph manuscript. I wrote to you three or four days ago for the best. Did I do well to change the initial title, thinking it would serve your dear glory better? In case you prefer the old one, here it is on this strip of paper that you would just need to stick onto the other page I, provided you remove the dedication to Denise, which would no longer be necessary, as it would be redundant. To add more enticing mystery, I did not mention you at length in the praise, but everyone can guess, to have you acclaimed at the end by the clear trumpets of heaven: Jean Royere!

Regarding the references concerning Anna Hyatt, I omitted in my haste to mention La Jeunesse. Please therefore cite La Jeunesse after Le Cid, imitating my writing style: La Liberatrice, Le Cid, and La Jeunesse.

The death of Jehan Rictus saddened me greatly, a friend from youth. Today, it is a true desolation for me, the tragedy of Fagus. An admirable poet whom I hold in very high regard, even though I only knew him impartially. I do not have his volume of poems, but here and there I had read some. Ah, all these great archangels who go to join the Nest!

My divine beloved wrote to you on Thursday about the receipt of Paris-Soir that she was sending you. I hope to receive a word from you reassuring me about the reception of the apology. May it please you all, especially the treasure who will kindly reread it on the day of our respective centennials. The child is already posterity.

We all pout at you.
your old brother
SPR





The letter is brotherly and affectionate, literary, symbolist, with references to Jehan Rictus, Fagus, Anna Hyatt, Royere's revue, and the sent apology.




Searchable keywords
Saint-Pol-Roux, Symbolism, autograph manuscript, Jean Royère, Jehan Rictus, Fagus, Anna Hyatt, Maison de Coecilian, literary correspondence, symbolist poetry, Denise, Autograph Manuscript.