DENIS (Ferdinand) - Lot 49

DENIS (Ferdinand) Ferdinand Denis Paris, 1798 - Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 1890. Traveler, historian and bibliographer, specialist in Brazilian history, administrator of the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève. Set of 2 autograph pieces, Paris and Rouen, May 1863; a L.A.S. signed "Ferdinand Denis" and an autograph draft reply from Édouard-Benjamin Frère; approx. 3 pp. in-8. Nice scholarly exchange concerning bibliographical research on Father Yves d'Évreux and old travel reports on Brazil. The autograph letter signed by Ferdinand Denis, dated "Paris 22 mai 1863", is addressed to Édouard-Benjamin Frère. Denis recalls an old meeting "at the home of our friend M. Le Roux de Lincy" and asks the Norman bibliographer for help with the writings of Father Yves d'Évreux, a Capuchin missionary famous for his 17th-century account of Brazil. In particular, Denis writes: "In your excellent bibliography you mention a writing by Father Yves d'Évreux that I have been unable to obtain...". and asks his correspondent for "some information on this subject", in a "desire for accuracy". The entire letter bears witness to the scientific meticulousness and extraordinary network of correspondence maintained by Ferdinand Denis in his research into early Brazilian sources. There is the scholarly courtesy typical of the great bibliographers of the 19th century, with Denis expressing his admiration for Frère's "work", "for which I feel such a keen esteem". The autograph draft of his reply, written in Rouen a few days later, is particularly interesting. Heavily laden with corrections, interlinear additions and marginal notes, it contains various hypotheses and references to early editions, missionaries and travel accounts from Brazil. The whole shows the bibliographer's practical work as he reflects on and verifies his work. A precious reunion illustrating the intellectual exchanges between two great figures of 19th-century French bibliography on historical sources relating to Brazil and the Capuchin missions. Usual folds; very good condition.