665
BALZAC HONORÉ DE: (1799-1850) French Novelist and Playwright.
1/3
Description
‘I almost owe him my life’ BALZAC HONORÉ DE: (1799-1850) French Novelist and Playwright. Best known for his masterwork novel La Comédie Humaine, a multi-novel collection of novels written over twenty years. A very fine A.L.S., `de Balzac´, three pages, 8vo, slim paper, Berdychiv, Ukraine, 22nd October 1849, to Charles Sauvageot, in French. At the time of the present letter Balzac was residing at Wierzchownia, in Ukraine, staying at the home of Madame Hanska. Balzac has mandated his correspondent to get him a violin to be offered to Doctor Knothe who had treated him, and having just received the violin, states in part `…enfin à travers tant d´instruments de musique qui ont roulé entre la Gallicie et Vienne, celui-là s´est fait jour et n´a pas souffert, il est venu sain et sauf, et il l´a trouvé parfait, excellentissime, et il a mis l´amateur et collectionneur de violons en goût. Cet artiste est le médecin de la famille au sein de laquelle je vis loin des orages, et je lui dois à peu près la vie, attendu que j´avais une maladie de coeur au plus haut degré don't il m´a délivré; donc, comme je désire moi aussi lui faire un cadeau… si par hasard vous trouvez ou vous entendez parler de quelque chef d´oeuvre de lutherie, vous qui vous y connaissez si bien, pensez à moi, prévenez moi´ (Translation: “…finally, through so many musical instruments that have rolled between Gallicia and Vienna, this one has emerged and has not suffered, it has come safe and sound, and he has found it perfect, excellent, and it appealed to the violin lover and collector. This artist is the doctor of the family with which I live far from the storms, and I almost owe him my life, given that I had a heart disease in the highest degree from which he delivered me; so, as I also want to give him a gift... if by chance you find or hear about some masterpiece of luting making, you who know the matter so well, think of me, let me know”) Balzac says having been delivered from his heart disease, although his health never fully recovered and kept on deteriorating, passing away ten months later. Balzac further refers to his future return to Paris, saying in part `…comme il m´est défendu de monter plus de 20 marches, je me ferai porter par 2 commissionnaires en une façon de palanquin jusque dans votre musée et pour le voir et pour vous voir. J´ai toujours votre fouet cosaque sur ma commode, en sorte que je pensé à vous. Ce que vous m´avez dit de la difficulté de trouver de vrais Palissy, sains et entiers me nâvre. Palissy, Rabelais et Salomon de Caux sans statues, dans un paysqui en élève à Parmentier et à Monge, à Ducange et à Coquille est un fait qui m´irrite et me fait rougir de n´être pas assez riche pour réparer cette ingratitude. Dans tous les cas, le hasard est si grand surtout à Paris, où les voitures ne tuent que 5 ou 6 personnes par an…´ (Translation: “…as I am not allowed to climb more than 20 steps, I will have myself carried by 2 porters in the manner of a palanquin to your museum in order to see it and to see you. I still have your Cossack whip on my dresser, so I thought of you. What you told me about the difficulty of finding real Palissy, healthy and unbroken, saddens me. Palissy, Rabelais and Salomon de Caux without statues, in a country that raises them to Parmentier and Monge, Ducange and Coquille, is a fact that irritates me and makes me blush for not being rich enough to make amends to such ingratitude. In any case, chance is so great, especially in Paris, where cars only kill 5 or 6 people a year…”) Addressed in Balzac´s hand to the fourth page. G to VG Charles Sauvageot (1781-1860) French Violinist and important collector of medieval and Renaissance antiques which he donated to the Louvre. Sauvageot and Balzac shared their passion for Bernard Palissy, a XV century Huguenot potter, engineer and craftsman known for his so-called “rusticware” large oval decorated platters featuring small animals in relief, and who died in the Bastille.In February 1832 Balzac received an intriguing letter from Odessa with no return address and signed simply "L'Étrangère" ("The Foreigner") expressing sadness at the cynicism and atheism in La Peau de Chagrin and its negative portrayal of women. Balzac´s response was to place an advertisement in the Gazette de France, hoping that his anonymous critic would see it. Thus began a fifteen-year correspondence between Balzac and Ewelina Hanska a Polish woman married to a nobleman twenty years her senior. After the death of her husband in 1841, Balzac finally visited Ewelina Hanska in 1843 and won her heart. After a series of financial and health problems, including objections from Tsar Nicholas I, the couple married in 1850 in Saint Petersburg, only few months after the present letter was written. Five months later and three months after returning to Paris, Balzac died.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
‘I almost owe him my life’ BALZAC HONORÉ DE: (1799-1850) French Novelist and Playwright. Best known for his masterwork novel La Comédie Humaine, a multi-novel collection of novels written over twenty years. A very fine A.L.S., `de Balzac´, three pages, 8vo, slim paper, Berdychiv, Ukraine, 22nd October 1849, to Charles Sauvageot, in French. At the time of the present letter Balzac was residing at Wierzchownia, in Ukraine, staying at the home of Madame Hanska. Balzac has mandated his correspondent to get him a violin to be offered to Doctor Knothe who had treated him, and having just received the violin, states in part `…enfin à travers tant d´instruments de musique qui ont roulé entre la Gallicie et Vienne, celui-là s´est fait jour et n´a pas souffert, il est venu sain et sauf, et il l´a trouvé parfait, excellentissime, et il a mis l´amateur et collectionneur de violons en goût. Cet artiste est le médecin de la famille au sein de laquelle je vis loin des orages, et je lui dois à peu près la vie, attendu que j´avais une maladie de coeur au plus haut degré don't il m´a délivré; donc, comme je désire moi aussi lui faire un cadeau… si par hasard vous trouvez ou vous entendez parler de quelque chef d´oeuvre de lutherie, vous qui vous y connaissez si bien, pensez à moi, prévenez moi´ (Translation: “…finally, through so many musical instruments that have rolled between Gallicia and Vienna, this one has emerged and has not suffered, it has come safe and sound, and he has found it perfect, excellent, and it appealed to the violin lover and collector. This artist is the doctor of the family with which I live far from the storms, and I almost owe him my life, given that I had a heart disease in the highest degree from which he delivered me; so, as I also want to give him a gift... if by chance you find or hear about some masterpiece of luting making, you who know the matter so well, think of me, let me know”) Balzac says having been delivered from his heart disease, although his health never fully recovered and kept on deteriorating, passing away ten months later. Balzac further refers to his future return to Paris, saying in part `…comme il m´est défendu de monter plus de 20 marches, je me ferai porter par 2 commissionnaires en une façon de palanquin jusque dans votre musée et pour le voir et pour vous voir. J´ai toujours votre fouet cosaque sur ma commode, en sorte que je pensé à vous. Ce que vous m´avez dit de la difficulté de trouver de vrais Palissy, sains et entiers me nâvre. Palissy, Rabelais et Salomon de Caux sans statues, dans un paysqui en élève à Parmentier et à Monge, à Ducange et à Coquille est un fait qui m´irrite et me fait rougir de n´être pas assez riche pour réparer cette ingratitude. Dans tous les cas, le hasard est si grand surtout à Paris, où les voitures ne tuent que 5 ou 6 personnes par an…´ (Translation: “…as I am not allowed to climb more than 20 steps, I will have myself carried by 2 porters in the manner of a palanquin to your museum in order to see it and to see you. I still have your Cossack whip on my dresser, so I thought of you. What you told me about the difficulty of finding real Palissy, healthy and unbroken, saddens me. Palissy, Rabelais and Salomon de Caux without statues, in a country that raises them to Parmentier and Monge, Ducange and Coquille, is a fact that irritates me and makes me blush for not being rich enough to make amends to such ingratitude. In any case, chance is so great, especially in Paris, where cars only kill 5 or 6 people a year…”) Addressed in Balzac´s hand to the fourth page. G to VG Charles Sauvageot (1781-1860) French Violinist and important collector of medieval and Renaissance antiques which he donated to the Louvre. Sauvageot and Balzac shared their passion for Bernard Palissy, a XV century Huguenot potter, engineer and craftsman known for his so-called “rusticware” large oval decorated platters featuring small animals in relief, and who died in the Bastille.In February 1832 Balzac received an intriguing letter from Odessa with no return address and signed simply "L'Étrangère" ("The Foreigner") expressing sadness at the cynicism and atheism in La Peau de Chagrin and its negative portrayal of women. Balzac´s response was to place an advertisement in the Gazette de France, hoping that his anonymous critic would see it. Thus began a fifteen-year correspondence between Balzac and Ewelina Hanska a Polish woman married to a nobleman twenty years her senior. After the death of her husband in 1841, Balzac finally visited Ewelina Hanska in 1843 and won her heart. After a series of financial and health problems, including objections from Tsar Nicholas I, the couple married in 1850 in Saint Petersburg, only few months after the present letter was written. Five months later and three months after returning to Paris, Balzac died.
AUTOGRAPH LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS & HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AUCTION
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 650
Lots: 650
Venue Address
El Real del Campanario
num.12 Bajo B
Estepona
Malaga
29688
Spain
IAA Europe offer an in house shipping service for the convenience of buyers. Lots are securely packed and shipped via courier with full tracking details which will be supplied upon despatch.
In the majority of cases buyers from the United Kingdom will receive their packages via the Royal Mail from within England.
Your invoice will include postage, packing and insurance charges.
Important Information
Day One - Lots 1 - 650
Day Two - Lots 651- 1300
Bidding at the auction will be online only.
We offer in house shipping to worldwide destinations.
Terms & Conditions
Buyers Terms & Conditions
1. Interpretation
1.1. "Auctioneers" means " International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. "
1.2. "Catalogue" means the brochure relating to a sale (including any addendum thereto) and any other related documents and advertisements.
1.3. "Conditions" means these terms and conditions of sale
1.4. "Hammer Price" means the price at which a lot is knocked down by the Auctioneers to the Purchaser.
1.5. "Purchaser" means the person who purchases a lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.6. "Seller" means the person who is selling the lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.7. "VAT" means Value Added Tax.
2. Bidding
2.1. The highest bidder for each lot shall be the Purchaser of that lot.
2.2. No person shall be entitled to retract a bid. The Auctioneers reserve the right of refusing any bid without giving any reason and of altering, adding to, dividing, consolidating or withdrawing any lot or lots for sale.
2.3. The Auctioneers reserve the right to fix a reserve price for any lot at a figure no higher than the lower estimate.
2.4. The Auctioneers reserve the right to bid on behalf of the Seller on lots which are subject to a reserve price. The Seller shall not be entitled to bid where the Auctioneers have reserved such a right.
2.5. In the case of a dispute as to any bid the Auctioneers may immediately determine the dispute or put up the lot again at the last undisputed bid or withdraw the lot.
2.6. The Auctioneers will accept written commission bids free of charge from any person who is unable to attend the sale. Bids will also be accepted by telephone and fax at the sender's risk.
2.7. Lots will not normally be sold at less than two-thirds bottom estimate.
3. Payment
3.1. Each Purchaser shall give in his name and address and proof of identity (if required) to the Auctioneers at a sale and shall if required pay such deposit as the Auctioneers may specify.
3.2. The Purchaser shall pay the Hammer Price together with a premium of 30.25% on the Hammer Price (this amount includes VAT and must not be shown separately or claimed as input tax). By the making of any bid the Purchaser acknowledges that his attention had been drawn to this fact and that he assents to the Auctioneers receiving the said commission. A 25% premium will be payable by Purchasers outside the European Union (EU). Zero-rated goods such as books will be subject to a premium of 25% whether within or outside the EU unless entered by a VAT registered Seller.
3.3. Payments for lots must be made in cash, bankers draft or cheque guaranteed by the bank upon which it is drawn. Lots will not be released against cheques from Purchasers unknown to the Auctioneers until cleared by such Purchaser's bank. Payment is accepted by Visa and Mastercard. A surcharge of 3% plus VAT will be levied to accounts settled by credit cards for non EU buyers. Payment is also accepted by most debit cards with no surcharge.
3.4. Overseas clients are requested to settle accounts by USA Dollars or Sterling bank transfer (details upon request), by Euro cheques, by Visa or Mastercard (a surcharge of 3% plus VAT [clients outside the EU exempt from VAT] will be levied to accounts settled by this method) or if payment is made on personal accounts in foreign currency the client is requested to add the equivalent of a further €10 to cover bank conversion charges. The Auctioneer reserves the right to claim back from the Purchasers any shortfall due to bank charges or currency fluctuations on that account.
3.5. No lots will be released by the Auctioneers until receipt of payment in full from the Purchaser.
4. Risk
4.1. All lots shall be the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer.
4.2. The Purchaser shall take all lots in the condition in which he finds them. It is the responsibility of all intending Purchasers to satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the authenticity in the authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot.
5. Liability
5.1. Neither the Seller of any lot nor the Auctioneers make or give nor has any person in the employment of the Auctioneers any authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to any lot and any implied conditions or warranties are excluded.
5.2. All statements contained in the Catalogue as to the authenticity, attribution, genuineness, origin, authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot are statements of opinion only and are not to be taken as or implying statements or representations of fact. Lots are sold subject to all faults and errors in description or otherwise.
5.3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 5.1. and 5.2. of these Conditions in the event of a dispute as to authenticity of any lot(s) the item or items in question should be returned to the Auctioneers within 21 days of receipt by the Purchaser of such lot(s) together with a formal statement by a recognised expert The Auctioneers shall at their option and without admission of liability reimburse the price paid by the Purchaser in respect of such lot(s). This does not constitute an approval service.
5.4. Neither the Auctioneers nor the Seller shall be responsible for any loss, damage or injury occasioned to or sustained by any person on the premises before, during or after a sale save in respect of death or personal injury caused by negligence of the Seller or the Auctioneers.
6. Capacity of Auctioneers
For all purposes of a sale the Auctioneers shall be deemed to be the agent of both the Seller and the Purchaser and they shall not be considered responsible for any default on the part of either the Seller or Purchaser.
7. Delivery
7.1. Lots will only be released once payment in full has been received from the Purchaser.
7.2 An insurance charge of 1.8 % plus VAT will be applied to all invoices for packages sent from our offices
7.3. Postage is subject to VAT at 21% within the EU
7.4. The Auctioneers will provide full customs declarations on the Hammer Price plus the Purchaser's premium and Purchaser's shall be responsible for any customs charges made by the country of import.
7.5. A charge will be made for the packing & shipping of deliveries which is subject to VAT at 21% within the EU.
8. Auctioneers Remedies
In the event that the Purchaser fails to pay for any lot(s) in full pursuant to these Conditions then the Auctioneers shall be entitled:
8.1. to rescind the sale of the relevant lot(s)
8.2. to resell the lot(s) without further notice either by public or private sale and the deficiency (if any) arising from such second sale together with all charges and expenses relating to the same shall be the responsibility of the defaulting Purchaser and shall be recoverable as and for liquidated damages.
9. Jurisdiction
These Conditions shall be governed by Spanish law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Spanish courts.
Online Bidding
International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. offer an online bidding service for bidders who cannot attend the sale, however please be advised that a charge of 3% + VAT is chargeable on all purchases made through any of the online bidding facilities offered.
In completing the bidder registration and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L.
1. You authorise International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L., if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction, and
2. confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. and agree that International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfillment of the sale.
3. confirm that you accept that an additional charge of 3% + VAT will be applied to your invoice for use of an online bidding facility
