ROSTAND Edmond [Marseille, 1868 - Paris, 1918], French poet - Lot 138

ROSTAND Edmond [Marseille, 1868 - Paris, 1918], French poet and playwright. Autograph letter signed, addressed to Fouquier [probably Henri Fouquier, influential journalist and politician]. 2 pages in-4°. In it, he talks about his candidacy for a future election (surely to the Académie Française): "Those who urged me to run did so with such spontaneity and warmth that I was extremely touched and flattered; I would not have run if authorized friends had not advised me to do so now, after what they have already done for me and the letters I have written, to withdraw would be a defection." He then rejects Fouquier's proposal to withdraw and advises him to get information on their respective candidacies, as he at least is in Paris. "You can therefore very quickly and very easily, being in Paris, realize whether you should maintain your candidacy: don't think for a second that I wouldn't be extremely honored to have you as a competitor. Your cordial offer to step aside (I cannot accept the modesty of that word!) touches me deeply; and certainly I will not refuse the campaign in my favor so simply and clearly offered. But sacrifice nothing!"