ADAMOV Arthur. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED to Julien... Lot 1

ADAMOV Arthur. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED to Julien GRACQ and 3 AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED, to Doctor FERDIÈRE. April 26, May 13, 16 and 22, 1946. 4 pages in-4 and a half and one page in-8 in ink, envelope addressed to Julien GRACQ preserved (some stains). These letters concern Antonin Artaud's return to Paris after his internment in Rodez, and the organization of an auction and event to benefit Artaud. Letter dated May 13, 1946, to Julien Gracq. Adamov asks him: ... I'd like to ask you for a manuscript for the Antonin Artaud sale - which we're organizing at Galerie Pierre - in conjunction with a séance (recital) for his benefit.... We need to get Artaud out of the horrible hospice he's in at Rodez and into a paying clinic near Paris, where we can visit him often. Artaud has never written such admirable texts (I know you'll like them, I've read your books). In any case, it's unacceptable that his internment should continue. I went to see him in Rodez, and I saw hell... Letter of April 26, 1946 to Ferdière: ... I was waiting from one day to the next to see Picasso to do it. I saw him and he will give us a large canvas for our sale, which is now well under way. We have Picasso, Braque, Giacometti, Chagall, Grüber. I also saw Barrault about the Artaud benefit performance. Letter to Ferdière, May 16, 1946: ... You told me Artaud was coming on the 26th. But after horrible difficulties, we have set up the exhibition of paintings and manuscripts on June 6, and the session at which Jouvet, Dullin, Maria Casarès, Blin, Vilar and others (including myself) will read and present texts by Artaud. Barrault will then read Les Cenci. It's impossible - a psychological impossibility - for Artaud to be in Paris that day (I'm talking about the séance), so the exhibition doesn't really matter. It would be difficult to hide the date from him - he'd know right away - and it would be impossible to refuse him the session, and it's equally impossible for him to attend. Don't get me wrong, apart from the sadly commercial reasons (people who have paid 1,500 frs for their tickets see the very person who... ). It would be odious and unthinkable to see our friend subjected to the curiosity of the people of the world... I know that this creates real difficulties for you, but after the long devotion you have shown him (I'm not one to attack you, believe me, and I know what a paradise Rodez is when you've left Ville-Évrard...), it would be impossible for you to attend. In the last letter of May 22 1946, Artaud's return is decided: Ida explains to me the real reasons for your insistence that Artaud be transferred to Paris as soon as possible: It's agreed. Sunday morning at 9 o'clock we'll be at the Gare d'Austerlitz.