Lettres Francaises by Joseph Conrad first edition 1930 signed by Jessie + ALS
Paris: Librairie Gallimard (1930)
8vo; paper wrappers ruled in black and red and lettering in the same colours; pp. 210; the spine is toned and the wrappers delicate, in particular the upper panel is starting to split at the bottom of the spine, the edges are gently curled and in places with short tears, there is a small chip to the lower panel to the top right hand corner, p197 is creased; overall between good and very good; this copy is signed to the upper panel by Joseph Conrad’s wife Jessie, to the Conrad’s close friend Richard Curle, the inscription reads “To Richard Curle from his affectionate friend, Jessie Conrad”.
[with]
A 3-sided letter, with the Conrad’s Harbledown address at the top and their Canterbury telephone number; it is dated June 16th, 1930, written from Jessie Conrad to Richard Curle, the letter is in excellent shape, Jessie says the following to the recipient:
“My dear Dick, I was pleased to get your letter a few moments ago, but very sorry to know your arm was so painful. I hope you will like the volume of French letters, to me they seem very well selected. Will you let me know if you think Ralph would care to have a copy? John seems to have enjoyed his lunch on Saturday; I am very conscious he should keep up the friendship of Conrad’s old friends. I shall look forward to you coming down with Iris and Ralph.
If I am able to come to town before I would like to let you know. There are some very interesting Pole ?? sure you would like to meet. Dr Swintochourski, his wife and son came here a few Sundays ago. I have met lately nearly all the polish embassy including the great grandson of Prince Romanov.
I have been in bed two days now, but I don’t think much difference to the state of inflammation. With my love and best wishes, affectionately yours, Jessie Conrad.”
The volume of letters written by Joseph Conrad are to French acquaintances as well as fellow authors Henry James and Andre Gide. There are quite a lot of letters to his good friend Georges Jean Aubury, who also wrote an introduction. The volume is rare signed by Jessie Conrad to close friend and executor to Joseph Conrad’s will, Richard Curle. Curle wrote a biography of Conrad, in his lifetime and was given the seal of approval to do so. He also went on to write two further books about him after his death. The letter is nice, where Jessie refers to her husband simply as Conrad, and expresses how keen she is to keep up with his friends. A lovely pair of ephemeral items in relation to Joseph Conrad.