LITERARY SET including: - Lot 123

LITERARY SET including: - BENOIT Pierre [Albi, 1886 - Ciboure, 1962], French novelist. Autograph letter signed. November 29, 1943; 1 square in-8° page. "I agree with Pierre Seize to extend for a further three years the contract signed with you concerning Lac Salé. Please do whatever is necessary." Enclosed: BENOIT Pierre [Albi, 1886 - Ciboure, 1962], French novelist. Autograph manuscript. 2 1/2 in-folio pages, paper frayed and consolidated. Letterhead of the "Ministère de l'Instruction publique et des Beaux-Arts" (repaired cracks in gummed paper). Draft letter on behalf of Édition française illustrée concerning a new literary collection, Les plus belles nouvelles de France. The aim is to help liberate the short story, too often relegated to the background of literature, and, referring to authors such as Mérimée, Flaubert or Maupassant, potential contributors are asked to produce an unpublished short story, roughly the size of Carmen, Un coeur simple or Boule-de-Suif, to be printed in a special volume worthy of these great names. - COURTELINE Georges (Georges Moinaux, dit) [Tours, 1858 - Paris, 1929], French writer and playwright. Autograph letter signed. Hendaye, September 22, 1911; 2 pages in-8°. Illustrated letterhead of the Grand-Hôtel Imatz on the square in Hendaye. "It has always been in my mind to ask Sylvain to give me back a role that he does nothing with and that I had given him. I deeply regret being unpleasant to him, but I cannot, however, with the best will in the world, make him sacrifice the humble little possession that is mine, and from which I modestly live." - DUMAS FILS Alexandre (Alexandre Dumas, dit) [Paris, 1824 - Marly-le-Roi, 1895], French writer and playwright. Autograph letter signed. Undated; 1 page in-8°. "I have received the books, dear Monsieur, a thousand thanks. [...] Sarah has been ill for a few days. I don't know when she will be able to appear, but I hope it won't be long. I shall take good care of your books.