Paul Verlaine - Last Known Autograph Letter Signed By The Poet - January 2, 1896 - Jules Rais

Autograph letter signed from Paul Verlaine (1844-1896) to Jules Rais (1872-1843).

Last known handwritten letter from the poet before his death on January 8, 1896. Later manuscripts will be in the hand of his mistress, Eugénie Krantz.

One oblong in-16 page on a double leaf. Watermarked "Harefield" paper.

Paris. January 2, 1896, 39 rue Descartes.

Size: 12.2 x 14.2 cm / With frame: 21 x 22.5cm.

This letter is a response to a solicitation from Jules Rais, writer, art critic and translator. A young man of 24 at the time of this letter. He ended his career as Chief Librarian of the Chamber of Deputies. In 1943, at the age of 71, he fell victim to the barbarity of Nazism and was deported to Auschwitz, from which he never returned.

In late December 1895, Jules Rais announced in a letter to Verlaine the imminent creation of the magazine L'Image and invited the poet to collaborate: "I am its editorial secretary. Wood engravers will illustrate it in order to fight against industrial processes and restore the book to its former beauty. Goncourt, Zola [...] have promised their collaboration. Roger Marx is on board. Huysmans, Geffroy, Descaves, Mendès, Barrès, etc. have been announced. Funds will enable us to call on the greats at the same time as we welcome the young. Your adhesion would be most precious, your name a guarantee of success..."

Suffering from diabetes, ulcers and syphilis, Verlaine engraved and signed his suffering on paper, as evidenced by the degradation of his handwriting and syntax.

This is the last surviving written testimony of Verlaine, who died six days later of acute pneumonia. The bills sent by the poet after January 2 will be in the hand of his mistress, Eugénie Krantz.

"
January 2, 96

Cher ami,

Oui, j'adhère à votre journal. Print me among [your] contributors and write me details.

Very, very unwell. To bed and milk. That's why I write so little and so badly.

To you from the heart.

P Verlaine.

39 rue Descartes
"

See: Sang D'encres video - The ultimate handwritten traces of the prince of poets: Paul Verlaine's last letter:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPdUy_2CPdN/