Pierre Jules Hetzel Signed Autograph Letter: Anger vs. Dentu / Edmond About, 1861

  

Autograph letter signed, Les Questions Romaines, 1861. French publisher, writer, translator, and politician.

Autograph letter signed by Pierre Jules Hetzel. Dated April 1, 1861 in Paris. Written in brown ink on a double sheet of laid paper. An exceptional “editorial war” letter. The famous publisher of Jules Verne and the Voyages Extraordinaires “shows his claws” with rare violence to defend the integrity of his catalog.

Usually seen as the paternal mentor of Romantic writers, Hetzel here reveals himself as a formidable and ruthless businessman.

He also refers to his agreements that were not respected by About and to his failing health. “Please let About [Edmond About] know that I do not accept that any [edition] whatsoever of the Roman Question can be published other than by me. And if I am astonished by what I have been told, I am amazed that anyone other than About had to tell me. I have borne the brunt of this operation; I do not understand why I should be left with the rheumatism while others take the profits. Even if one had the right to do so - and one does not - the method would be so regrettable that once again I refuse to believe what I am being told. I will sue Dentu as a counterfeiter if the book appears.

About cannot have authorized him to publish it. I am sorry about all this. You know that in other circumstances I have been patient with About - I have agreements with him that he has not fulfilled, which I would be entitled to demand he carry out - and he knows it well - for a man of his intelligence does not misunderstand me except knowingly - or through failure to examine the facts. I will take all this up again, and we will tear each other’s eyes out if necessary before the whole world rather than let pass a matter in which About puts nothing on the scales, not even the most ordinary courtesy.

I have been ill for 15 days and stuck in bed three quarters of the time - if I were in better health I would go to [Saverne]. I am angry because I am hurt. Please convey my letter to About and send it to him wherever he may be.

”

Dimensions: 13.5 x 21 cm. See photos and description for more details. Number of pages: 2 pages.

Pierre-Jules Hetzel, born January 15, 1814 in Chartres and died March 17, 1886 in Monte-Carlo, was a French publisher, writer, translator, and politician. François Edmond Valentin About, born February 14, 1828 in Dieuze and died January 16, 1885 in Paris 9?

, was a French writer, journalist, and art critic, a member of the French Academy.

Autograph letters, old papers, antique books, photographs, engravings, stamps...

We appraise and/or buy your letters, collections of letters, and antique books throughout France. Feel free to contact me. Careful shipping in a rigid, waterproof package within three days. Usual postal delays should be added.

If you are not completely satisfied, return at the seller’s expense for Europe. At the buyer’s expense for the rest of the world.