DENIS (Ferdinand) - Lot 36

DENIS (Ferdinand) Ferdinand Denis Paris, 1798 - Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 1890. Traveler, historian, bibliographer and administrator of the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, a leading French specialist on Brazil and Franco-Brazilian intellectual relations in the 19th century. Important L.A.S. "Ferdinand Denis", on Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève letterhead, Paris, May 14, 1869; 2 pp. in-8. Very interesting scholarly letter to a fellow bibliophile, probably Édouard-Benjamin Frère, combining bibliography, literary history and Brazilian studies. Ferdinand Denis thanks his correspondent for sending him an image of "Sauvages Brésiliens" from a publication by M. de Merval, which he intends to cite in a work in preparation: "I will certainly quote this interesting volume in the brochure I'm preparing on France's Relations with Brazil from the mid-seventeenth century onwards." The letter contains several developments relating to bibliographical history and scholarly exchanges between Rouen and Paris. Denis also mentions the Historical Institute of Rio de Janeiro and the interest that certain French publications could arouse in South America: "M. de Merval would send a copy of their book to the Historical Institute of Rio de Janeiro, n'obtiendront un rapport qui ferait écouler plusieurs volumes de cette publication." The learned librarian also mentions the research undertaken on Abbé Tresset and Cardinal du Perron, before warmly congratulating his correspondent's son on the success of his thesis: "This is an important step taken in the difficult path of life." A fine, long letter, testifying to the network of French scholars and bibliophiles during the Second Empire, particularly valuable for the history of Brazilian studies in France and the scholarly circles gravitating around the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève. Very fine condition. Large autograph signature "Ferdinand Denis". Usual mailing folds. Perfectly legible ink.