Descrizione

THE ONLY LETTER FROM COCTEAU THAT MARAIS REFUSED TO PUBLISH, AND A KEY DOCUMENT FOR UNDERSTANDING COCTEAU'S THOUGHT. A beautiful letter from Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) to Jean Marais (1913-1998), a movie star, director (both film and theatre), painter, sculptor, writer, and photographer--and Cocteau's lover from 1937 to 1947. When the letter was sent, in April or May of 1940, Marais was mobilized in the French army. Aside from expressing his love for Marais (whom he addresses as "Mon bon ange"), Cocteau also mentions André Breton (1896-1966) and his wife. UNLIKE ALL OF THE OF THE OTHER LETTERS COCTEAU SENT TO MARAIS, THIS ONE WAS NOT PUBLISHED IN MARAIS' COMPILATION ("Jean Cocteau: lettres à Jean Marais." Paris: Albin Michel, 1987.) The reason is that COCTEAU CLEARLY REVEALS HIS PRO-GERMAN AND ANTI-BRITISH SYMPATHIES, AND FANTASIZES ABOUT A FRANCO-GERMAN ALLIANCE AGAINST ENGLAND. 27 x 21 cm. About 500 words, written very legibly in black ink. On very good wove paper, with some crinkling but no signs of aging. While Cocteau made little effort to hide his homosexuality, he didn't sign the letters he sent to Marais during the war.just in case. Cocteau has signed this letter, however, with his characteristic star. In excellent condition. A CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.