FRANCE (Anatole) - Lot 98

FRANCE (Anatole) Born in Paris. 1844-1924. French writer. Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921. 2 L.A.S. "Anatole France" to "Monsieur le Directeur général". Paris, December 19 and 23, 1898. 2 pages 1/2 in-8 and 2 pages in-8. Anatole France had a "sixteenth-century carved door" brought back from his trip to Italy, but it was stuck in Customs ...Excuse me if I take the liberty of submitting to you a matter which is very small in truth, but in which I am in great need of your help, which I am sure you will lend me. Here's the fact: I had bought a door in Naples, decorated with carved bas-reliefs. Informed that the parcel was at Bercy station, I wrote a note declaring that the door was "an Italian work from the sixteenth century", and sent this note to the station manager at Bercy customs, with instructions to have the box delivered to my home. However, on December 17, I received a new notice from the station manager stating that the customs agents "dispute my declaration, and ask me to go to Bercy to "do what is necessary"... He is reluctant to discuss anything with the customs officials and asks his friend to intercede on his behalf.Letter dated December 23: The dispute with the customs officials having been quickly settled, France thanks his friend for the kindness he has shown in this matter...