DENIS (Ferdinand) - Lot 35

DENIS (Ferdinand) Ferdinand Denis Paris, 1798 - Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 1890. Traveler, historian, bibliographer and curator of the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, renowned specialist in Brazilian history and literature. L.A.S. "Ferdinand Denis", on Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève letterhead, Paris, June 26, 1869; 1 p. in-8. Beautiful autograph letter addressed to a fellow bibliographer, probably Édouard-Benjamin Frère, in which Ferdinand Denis discusses bibliographical work relating to translations and the literary history of Rouen. He warmly thanks his correspondent for sending him a "bibliographical note": "Your bibliographical note on the verse translations of the Imitation of J.-C. and the Office of the Virgin goes perfectly with your latest publication". Denis goes on to praise the importance of the scholarly research undertaken by his correspondent, and celebrates Rouen's intellectual influence: "the already rich treasure of which Rouen is proud". The letter also contains an interesting scholarly reference to Ruiz de Alarcon, a Spanish playwright of the Golden Age: "I will put together the notes I have collected on Ruiz de Alarcon". The whole bears witness to the scholarly exchanges that took place between bibliographers and book historians in the 19th century, in the context of the great Parisian libraries and provincial scholarly societies. A very fine piece of bibliophily, written on the official paper of the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, with a large autograph signature "Ferdinand Denis". Very good condition. Central mailing fold. Well-preserved ink and excellent legibility.