Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), the supreme French master of the short story whose "Boule de Suif," "The Necklace," and nearly three hundred other tales defined the form for generations, signed this well-preserved ALS on the impressive letterhead of the "Ministere de l'Instruction Publique et des Beaux-Arts / Secretariat / 1er Bureau," Paris. The letter, dated simply "Paris, le 18[?]," reads in full: "Cher monsieur et ami, Vous avez recu hier la visite de mon Collegue et ami R. de St. Arroman (Raoul Jolly) qui vous apportait une nouvelle. Je vous serais tres reconnaissant si vous pouviez faire ce qu'il desire. Je vous serre les mains. tres a vous / Guy de Maupassant." A postscript adds: "Il me demande de faire aupres de vous cette demarche, qui me paraissait inutile puisqu'il vous connait."
The letter identifies the visitor as R. de St. Arroman, known under the pen name Raoul Jolly, a writer in Maupassant's circle. Maupassant served as a clerk in the French Ministry of Education, and the use of official ministry letterhead for a personal literary introduction is both characteristic of the period and historically resonant. Maupassant died at 42; his letters are genuinely scarce.
ALS, one page, black ink, approximately 7 x 10.5 inches, dated "Paris, le 18[?]," on printed "Ministere de l'Instruction Publique et des Beaux-Arts / Secretariat / 1er Bureau" letterhead; postscript at foot (IMG_278.jpg). Light toning; horizontal fold; paper sound; overall very good condition. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000.
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