COCTEAU (Jean). - Lot 70

COCTEAU (Jean). Born in Maisons-Laffitte. 1885–1963. Poet, illustrator, playwright, and filmmaker. Autograph letter signed “Jean” to “Dear Mary” [Mary Hoeck, translator of his works into English]. Milly, Monday, undated [November 13 or 19, 1952?]. 1 page, folio size, written in Tyrian pink ink. Cocteau, who has just received a translation by Mary Hoeck, laments, ...Alas, I am unable to follow anything other than my own text in your beautiful yet difficult language. I’m scolding you again: you should have returned the letter to Van L. He would have been quite embarrassed because it has nothing to do with what he claims. I’m telling him about you and pointing out how unpleasant it would be for me if anyone caused you the slightest distress. He adds, allusively, about his daily life: …Here, the dog, cat, and household items are all doing well and send you (sic) their friendly greetings, along with mine, Francine’s, and Cégeste’s [Francine Weisweiller and Édouard Dermit]...Cocteau had met Francine Weisweiller in 1949. The wealthy heiress, who hosted a social salon in her mansion on Place des États-Unis in Paris, served as a source of inspiration. Cégeste: a character in the film *Orphée* (1950) directed by Cocteau, played by Édouard Dermit, Jean Cocteau’s adopted son.