Interesting collection of items related to Alexandre Dumas, père - photographs, newspapers, prints and letters in his hand; most are from the second half of the 19th century. French.
Alexandre Dumas, père (1802-1870), French writer and poet, considered one of the inventors of the historical novel and one of the most widely read French writers. His works, the most famous of which are "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo", were translated into some 100 languages, and many were adapted to film.
The collection includes:
· Twelve photographic portraits of Alexandre Dumas, père (all except one are carte de visite photographs). [1850s-1860s]. These include: photograph with dedication in Dumas's handwriting: "avec mille compliments A Dumas" [French: with a thousand compliments, A. Dumas]; three photographs of Dumas with the American actress Adah Isaacs Menken (1835-1868), with whom he had an affair; photograph by French photographer Nadar (pseudonym of Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, considered one of the most important French portrait photographers in the nineteenth century); and more.
· Photographic portrait of Alexandre Dumas, fils.
· Letter handwritten and signed by Dumas, from 1847, to the French poet Joseph Autran (French). Dumas writes about the play "La Fille D'eschyle" by Autran, which he intends to stage between two plays adapted from his novels - "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "Le Chaviler de Maison-Rouge". [2] written pp; framed together with the original envelope in which the letter was posted.
· Short letter handwritten and signed by Dumas to the French playwright and poet Paul Meurice, in which he mentions his book "The Mohicans of Paris".[1] leaf. At the bottom of the leaf is another letter in a different hand. Framed.
· Portrait of Alexandre Dumas. Oil on cardboard, signed (undeciphered signature). [19th century]. Approx. 29X22 cm. Framed.
· Color caricature of Dumas on the cover of the journal "Le Hanneton" (issue no. 19, June 1867). In the caricature Dumas is seen holding a pen, from which a musketeer is dangling. Framed.
· Color caricature of Dumas as a drummer, on the cover of the journal "Le Bouffon" (issue no. 91, October 1867). Framed.
· Newspaper issues, newspaper leaves and prints with illustrations related to Dumas. Including: portrait illustrations of Dumas; issue of "L'universe Illustre" from 1872 with an illustration of Dumas's funeral; issue of "Le Petit Journal" from 1902; etching - portrait of Dumas as a young man; print showing Dumas's monument in Paris (after Gustave Doré); and more.
Total of about 30 items. Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Some of the items are framed for display.