Marcel PAGNOL Interesting collection and signed autograph letter 1868

  

Includes 4 pages of copies, 1968. Dimensions: 30 x 21 cm.

An interesting letter from Marcel Pagnol revealing his passion, in the final years of his life, for number theory and the mystery of prime numbers.

Here, Pagnol responds with humor to a letter (included) from Alexis Marnier-Lapostolle, heir to the Grand Marnier spirits company and owner of the renowned Villa des Cèdres. Marnier-Lapostolle writes that he has learned Pagnol is preparing a paper on prime numbers. Having written a study on the subject himself, he offers to share his work.

Also included is Marnier-Lapostolle’s delighted reply to Marcel Pagnol’s letter: “I am thrilled by your greeting, ‘Dear Monsieur des Cèdres.’ Here I am, a cousin to Manon des Sources and Jean de Florette, heading ‘up’ to Paris in a fragrant trail of thyme and wild thyme.

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Villa Les Cèdres, formerly Villa Les Oiseaux, is a private property listed in France’s General Inventory of Cultural Heritage. Built around 1870 in the area known as “Petit Cap Ferrat,” it is now one of the most expensive villas in the world.

Two carbon copies of letters from A.

Marnier-Lapostolle to Marcel Pagnol are included.

Dear Monsieur des Cèdres,

Your letter interests me greatly, although I am not a true mathematician. I amuse myself by exploring the relationships between prime numbers, and I would like to prove that every prime is the sum of three primes, or the famous Goldbach theorem: “Every even number is the sum of two primes.”

As you can see, I have not got very far. I would very much like to learn about your work on the quadratic arrangement of these mysterious numbers.

Vintage postcards depicting Villa des Cèdres, formerly owned by King Leopold II. Marcel Pagnol surrounded by a crowd.