Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863), the titan of French Romanticism, writes a warm letter headed "Ce vendredi matin" to an unnamed "Monsieur." The ALS reads in full: "Monsieur, je regrette bien d'etre oblige d'aller ce matin a l'hotel de ville et d'etre prive du plaisir de vous voir; mais jugez-en de dedommagement le jour que vous me fixerez pour entendre Mr. Schuloff: je serai heureux de votre prevenance et vous en remercierai d'autant; j'ai eu aussi d'entendre un artiste aussi eminent et dont j'ai appris des merveilles. Je serai avant mardi. Recevez en attendant Monsieur, l'expression de ma haute consideration / E. Delacroix." A dealer annotation reads "Charavay 001/22 154." The collector's description slip identifies the signer as Ferdinand Victor Eugene Delacroix, born 1799, died 1863.
The letter's mention of Schuloff — almost certainly the Czech pianist Julius Schulhoff, active in Paris in the mid-19th century — gives this document a pleasing cultural dimension. The Charavay provenance notation places this letter in a distinguished line of French autograph dealing.
ALS, one page, black ink, approximately 5 x 8 inches, undated; Charavay dealer annotation at lower left; accompanied by handwritten collector's description slip (IMG_215.jpg, IMG_216.jpg). Light toning and minor soiling; paper sound; overall good to very good condition. Estimate: $3,500-$6,000.
This item will be accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from One of a Kind Collectibles.