PAGNOL Magnificent autographed letter signed from the early days of Pagnol 1925

  

Marcel PAGNOL - Signed autograph letter. 3 pages on 3 sheets (215 x 270 mm) in black ink on tissue paper, dated Wednesday, March 4 [1925]. A magnificent letter from Pagnol's early days in Paris as a playwright.

Ambitious and optimistic, Pagnol has just presented the play he hopes will soon be performed. "The Merchants of Glory," and recounts the first private performance: "... I work like a bloodthirsty brute, and every day I write about twenty pages. The moment is approaching when we will see the footlights; you can therefore imagine my agitation as the date approaches that will decide my career, my fortune, etc. One day, Trébor invites us to read our play in front of a group of high-profile Parisians to whom he wanted to offer the premiere of the play: a grand gala evening, followed by a midnight supper.

We decide that the play will be read by Simon. Simon goes to get polished shoes from a friend at the Vincennes gate. He takes gloves from another, a tuxedo from Nivoix, a pocket square from the Conservatory, a watch from the neighbor: in short, a real subscription. As for me, I equip myself with Bellon's tuxedo, Simon's suspenders, a tie from Nivoix. As for Nivoix, he rushes to buy collars and cuffs, a pair of socks, and ingeniously makes the most of a once splendid silk shirt.

We arrive at the meeting place in a taxi, paid for by a contribution. In a vast library, we find Monin, owner of Houbigan, Maire, a major feather merchant, Parisys, Trébor, the Belle Jickiss from the Concert Mayol, who shows herself naked every evening to 2000 people, and who seemed embarrassed to be dressed in front of so many people ...

Add a few diamond-clad women - Oh my mother! Simon reads the play: triumphal success, astonished people, full of respect. Trébor says I am the next Condorcet.

The beautiful Jickiss asks me if I will soon finish my studies... Full cast rehearsals begin on Tuesday, March 12. We move into the first week of April.

Success or not, I am financially secure. A flop would still give 20 performances, making 10 to 12,000 for me. A hit, meaning 100 performances, with an audience, would bring in nearly 100,000, including sales abroad.

On April 15, 1925, while still a professor of English at the Condorcet High School in Paris, Pagnol stages his "Merchants of Glory" at the Théâtre de la Madeleine - his first play on stage. Photos and additional descriptions available upon request.

_gsrx_vers_625 GS 6.9.7 (625). _gsrx_vers_1608 GS 9.5 (1608).