VERLAINE (Paul). - Lot 223

VERLAINE (Paul). Born in Metz. 1844-1896. Poet. L.A.S. "P. V." to "My dear friend" (Eugénie Krantz). London, 30 (November 1893). 1 page in-8. Rare sent from London. On November 19, 1893, Verlaine sailed from Dieppe for England, at the invitation of a group of young writers. For a month, he gave lectures in London, Oxford and Manchester. Verlaine thanks her for her letter and informs her ...I'm going on a trip tomorrow, will be back the day after tomorrow and will write to you from then on in greater detail and in a better way... and recommends ...Above all, silence, I beg you. All's well on this condition alone. In a letter to his publisher Vanier, Verlaine describes his friend Eugénie Krantz as follows: "A person who is worthy of all confidence, whom I love very much, who prevents me from doing foolish things and who takes care of me and my affairs in an admirable way. Small and ugly, Eugénie Krantz was nicknamed "Nini Mouton" because of her curly hair. In 1891, Verlaine moved in with her at 15 rue Descartes, near the Panthéon. But Verlaine divided his time between Mlle Krantz and another of his mistresses, a prostitute named Philomène Boudin, known as Esther. While in London, Eugénie writes to Verlaine denouncing Esther's scandalous life. Verlaine breaks with Esther. On her return from London, Eugénie moves in with the poet on rue Saint-Jacques.