CHAMBE (René) - Lot 23

CHAMBE (René) L.A.S. addressed to Jean Bouquet-Nadaud. Paris, June 19, 1933. 4 pp. in-8, envelope preserved. Important and warm autograph letter signed by the general, aviator and writer René Chambe, concerning the difficult situation of the poet Paul Fort and the initiatives undertaken to help him. Returning from a flying trip to Nancy, marked by "the terrible accident that [...] overshadowed the 21st Wing's celebration", René Chambe wrote to his correspondent about the gala organized to support Paul Fort. He immediately announced his intention to take an active part in the fund-raising campaign: "From today I'm going to go and take seats, pay my subscription to "Comœdia" and provoke as many subscriptions as possible around me." Very sensitive to the poet's situation, Chambe underlines the emotion aroused in Parisian opinion: "I have the impression that opinion, always generous in Paris, has been moved by the news of the situation [...] of Paul Fort, and I am hopeful of success." But he fears that this help will remain insufficient and momentary. In a particularly interesting passage, he suggests that Paul Fort be given an official position commensurate with his intellectual prestige: "Don't you think it would be a good idea to ask the public authorities to reserve for Paul Fort one of the many positions he would be more qualified than anyone else to hold: museum curator, library curator, etc.? This would ensure his future. The letter ends with congratulations to his correspondent for his work on behalf of the poet: "I congratulate you on your personal action and please accept the assurance of my highest esteem." A fine example of literary friendship and intellectual solidarity around Paul Fort, bringing together one of the great figures of French aviation and one of the major poets of the 20th century.