DENIS (Ferdinand) - Lot 48

DENIS (Ferdinand) Ferdinand Denis Paris, 1798 - Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 1890. Traveler, historian and bibliographer, administrator of the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, renowned specialist in Brazil and Franco-Lusitanian intellectual relations. Set of 2 autograph pieces addressed to Édouard-Benjamin Frère: a L.A.S. signed "Ferdinand Denis" and an important autograph draft reply, Paris and Rouen, June 1863; approx. 4 pp. in-8. A fascinating bibliographical and scholarly exchange on sources relating to Brazil and certain Capuchin missionaries of the 17th and 18th centuries. The signed autograph letter, dated Paris, "June 10, 1863", thanks Édouard-Benjamin Frère for new research on "Bourdemare ou Bordemand". Ferdinand Denis then evokes several scholarly leads on travelers, missionaries and old acquaintances in Brazil. In particular, he mentions "P. Archange de Pembrock", or "Pembrock", a figure linked to the Capuchin missions, as well as various research projects undertaken in libraries and religious collections. The letter bears witness to Ferdinand Denis's extremely precise work in identifying early Brazilian sources and rare works devoted to the indigenous peoples of Brazil. In particular, he writes: "In bibliography, everything is worth collecting", characteristic of the bibliophile and scientific spirit of the 19th century. The document's interest also lies in the numerous references to English liturgical works, biographies of religious travelers and printed relations that have become difficult to locate. Denis reports "poor results" despite several investigations, perfectly illustrating the material difficulties of scholarly research before the great modern catalogs. The autograph draft reply, written by Édouard-Benjamin Frère, is particularly dense and substantial. Abundantly corrected and annotated, it contains numerous bibliographical references, Latin quotations, remarks on manuscripts, illustrated works and travelers' accounts. Several marginal notes and interlinear additions show the bibliographer's preparatory work in all its intellectual spontaneity. A very fine set illustrating 19th-century French scholarly networks and bibliographical research on Brazil, religious missions and early travel accounts. A few folds and traces of use; very good condition.