Romain Gary Autographed Letter Signed to Odette Arnaud 1856

  
[1955] On letterhead from the Permanent Commission of the Brussels Treaty, in London. Size: 20 x 16 cm / With magnetic plexiglass frame (included): 21 x 30 cm. An interesting letter beautifully signed by Romain Gary, eager to move forward with the negotiation for the publication of "The Roots of Heaven." Gaston Gallimard was not particularly in a hurry to respond to the author, as his publishing house was still burdened with unsold copies of his last novel, "The Colors of the Day," published by Gallimard in 1952.

This letter is informative as it shows that the possibility of publishing with Julliard was indeed considered. In this regard, there is a letter from the same Odette Arnaud to Romain Gary, dated July 16, 1954, which strongly pushed in this direction.

“There is still one question I would like to ask you immediately, as it will guide all our work. The question is this: would you consider leaving Gallimard even though it is truly the best intellectual environment for you and also despite the very deep friendship Gallimard has for you (.) At Gallimard we are faced with a huge routine organization (.) It goes without saying the advantages of going elsewhere, as you can guess. That elsewhere could hardly be anyone but Julliard.” Dear friend, how are your negotiations with Gaston going? Before going for surgery, Michel told me that Gaston is handling the matter. If Gaston drags his feet, we will go to Julliard. In 1954, Gary was not promoted to first-class advisor until the end of his mission in New York. Upon his return, he was appointed embassy secretary in London. On the letterhead: The Brussels Treaty provided for the organization of military, economic, social, and cultural cooperation among its member states, as well as a mutual defense clause.

It was signed for 50 years between France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It gave rise to a Western Union that foreshadowed the Western European Union, a purely defensive alliance. Gaston and Michel Gallimard, Gaston Gallimard's nephew, whom he considered his spiritual son and who tragically disappeared in 1960 in the car accident that also claimed the life of Albert Camus. Below, pocket editions of "The Roots of Heaven" and a portrait of Romain Gary.