BRASSAI (Pen name of Gyula Halasz). - Lot 53

BRASSAI (Pen name of Gyula Halasz). Born in Brasov. 1899–1984. Photographer, painter, writer. Typewritten letter signed “Brassaï” to “My Dear Friends,” with a handwritten postscript signed “Brassaï.” Eze-Village, July 22, 1970. 1 folio page. Stationery. Brassaï and his wife write to their close friends to tell them about the fire that nearly destroyed their property in the South of France: …On Wednesday the 15th, right after lunch, which we had on the terrace at La Manderea, Gilberte said to me: “There must be a fire; I can smell something burning…” And indeed, there was that pleasant smell of a wood fire… Little by little, a black cloud obscured the sun, and in that gloomy light, the Mistral was blowing with rare violence at 110 km per hour. The fire was advancing toward us at lightning speed… The couple quickly decided to flee; they drove to La Turbie, then, that very evening, to a friend’s house in Cap Martin. There, the village doctor told them that their house was intact: “…You can sleep soundly tonight. The fire spared your house and even all your trees…” It was truly miraculous…Brassai continues his account: …But the danger wasn’t entirely over yet. Hundreds of smoldering hot spots were still smoldering, just waiting for a gust of wind to reignite them. So on Thursday and Friday we returned to La Manderea just to “save” some more belongings. And indeed, on Saturday the 17th, the house nearly burned down (sic) for good this time. (…) We went up on Sunday: the scene around the house was apocalyptic—blackened rocks, charred trees, and the black earth, which looked as if it had been dusted with snow, so thick was the layer of ash…P.S.: …Dear Babeth, thank you for your lovely letter! And please excuse this form letter, but I don’t have time to write at length, and I don’t have my SECRETARY. Hugs to you all, Brassaï...