BRASSAI (pen name of Gyula Halasz). - Lot 54

BRASSAI (pen name of Gyula Halasz). Born in Brasov (Hungary). 1899–1984. Photographer, painter, writer. Autograph letter signed “Brassaï” to “Dear Babeth and dear Léo. Burgenstock, November 8, 1977.” 2 1/4 pages, in-8 format, on Bürgenstock Hotels stationery. Brassaï writes to his close friends from Bürgenstock, a small ski resort in Switzerland, where he is staying with his wife, Gilberte: …After the very successful (sic) TV show in Geneva featuring (can you believe it!) Tino Rossi, Mireille Mathieu, and Michèle Morgan last Saturday on *Les Oiseaux de Nuit*, we’re relaxing here at 1,000 meters above Lake Lucerne… The artist elaborates on a few details before lamenting his recent popularity: …Alas, since then I can no longer go unnoticed, not even in Zurich… On the train, at restaurants, and on the street, people approach me… “Excuse me, sir, congratulations—you were wonderful in *Les Oiseaux*…” But at Burgenstock, no one has spotted me yet... The letter ends with an amusing postscript from Gilbert, his wife: …Except for the cows with bells! Where have the days of Gstaad gone? We really ought to manage to meet up, after all...