VERLAINE (Paul). - Lot 304

VERLAINE (Paul). Born in Metz. 1844–1896. Poet. Autograph letter signed “P. V.” to “My dear friend” (Eugénie Krantz). London, November 30, 1893. 1 page, in-8. Rare, sent from London. On November 19, 1893, Verlaine set sail from Dieppe for England at the invitation of a group of young writers. He would give lectures in London, Oxford, and Manchester for a month. Verlaine thanks her for her letter and informs her ...I’m leaving tomorrow; I’ll be back the day after tomorrow and will write to you then in more detail and in a better way... and advises …Above all, keep quiet, I beg you. Everything will be fine on that condition alone. But keep quiet—or better yet, tear up my letters… P.S.: …write to London, same address…In a letter to his publisher Vanier, Verlaine describes his friend Eugénie Krantz as follows: “A person who is completely trustworthy, whom I love very much, who keeps me from doing foolish things, and who takes care of me and my affairs in an admirable way.” Short and plain-looking, Eugénie Krantz was nicknamed “Nini Mouton” because of her very curly hair. In 1891, Verlaine moved in with her at 15 Rue Descartes, near the Panthéon. But Verlaine divided his time between Mlle. Krantz and another of his mistresses, a prostitute named Philomène Boudin, known as Esther. During her stay in London, Eugénie wrote to Verlaine to denounce Esther’s scandalous lifestyle. Verlaine broke up with Esther. Upon her return from London, Eugénie moved in with the poet on Rue Saint-Jacques.