CÉLINE Louis-Ferdinand (1894-1961). Lot n° 17

34 L.A.S., 1940-1948, to Dr. Alexandre GENTIL, at the Maison de santé Sainte-Marie in Nogent-sur-Marne; 88 pages in various sizes, mostly in-4 or in-fol., one postcard, numerous envelopes (cracks in some letters). Important correspondence with a doctor friend, during the Occupation and during the Danish exile. Alexandre GENTIL (1878-1949), a former military doctor, whom Céline had met at the Val-de-Grâce hospital in 1914, became a close friend of the Destouches couple during the Occupation. They had many common friends: Gen Paul, Le Vigan, Jo Varenne, their colleagues Clément Camus, Charles Bonabel, Auguste Bécard, etc. During the Occupation, Gentil accompanied Céline to a few meetings and dinners of the Cercle européen. He was a faithful correspondent during the early days of Céline's exile, writing to him under his initials, his wife's first name, or under the pseudonym of Courtial (a character from Mort à crédit). We can only give a glimpse of this fascinating correspondence. Paris [September ? 1940]. "I am rotten with ambition - I am told that there is no longer a doctor at the Opera - is that true? That they have all left, more or less, for the Free Zone... for Jewish reasons... These rumours make me crazy"... [Autumn]. He explained himself badly about the Opéra-Comique. "I will of course be infinitely flattered to be at the O.C., especially with you, but you know how to sing... I am not initiated. Whereas I am a fanatic, ravaged by dance. So since we're talking about mirages, I'd prefer the opera. It is in this sense that I was writing to you - and so that you would simply try to find out from "those" at the Opera if they have any availability - far away... vaguely possible... Unless the thing is simply, as I crudely suspected, reserved for Jews and interns. In that case I would still have to be prepared to cause a riot. [1941 ?]. Order for men's and women's clothes; invitation: "You will sleep in the girl's bed - and for once I will sleep with her"... [February 1942?] "With this ice, I couldn't drag my motorcycle to Quillet's! Perhaps you'll forgive me! I would like to have three sheepskins with longer hair, raw, like those on my wife's coat"... [1942 ?]. Recommendation of Dr. Gentil, "a great patriot and a great surgeon and a great heart, and a practitioner full of science and spirit"... Saint-Malo 20 [February 1944]. "In this crazy world, St Malo is not spared, as you can imagine! - They don't know anymore if they chase us, raze us, burn us, assassinate us, make us die of fire, of ass-fucking, or of hunger! Finally we will return at the beginning of March to await the announced allies"... [Paris, early March]. "We were exhausted in St Malo by a thousand worries and troubles! We'll tell you about it"... [1944 ?]. Introduction of Éliane Bonnabel, "a very nice lady [...] a very old patient and girlfriend of mine from Clichy"... [June 15]. "We had to leave for the country in a hurry! We were both very sorry not to have seen you before we left, but I didn't dare to telephone! I hope it won't be long! We are thinking of you. I'll send you some news. - You may receive a visit from GEN PAUL and LE VIGAN. I told them that you might like to have them for a few days - of course without food! But they are here on the firing line! [Céline left Montmartre two days later, with Lucette and the cat Bébert]. Copenhagen August 30 [1945]. The letter is written and signed as if it were from "L. Almanzor": "We have all been very ill for the whole of last year. Louis especially with these awful events, and he was ... slightly injured. He is now a little better and so am I. [...] Finally, the nightmare of the war is going away, but it left us with an abominable memory"... September 15. New letter as "Lucie Almanzor", talking about her daughter "Georgette" (Lucette). He announces the death of his mother, "dead I believe from grief," and mentions the fate of "poor Berthier" [Dr. Auguste Bécart, arrested]. "We live very much alone with my little Georgette, who will "perhaps soon be giving castanet lessons [...] Mr Bartholin, our host, is a ballet master [...] he is a half-Israeli and a charming man. You know that I have always lived surrounded by Israelites. I have been reproached enough! This race is called to lead the world, its intelligence gives it the right to do so and I always tell my little Georgette that nothing is worth an Israelite friendship... He would like news of Jo Varenne, who "smelled of rope and hangman". Medical metaphor on his situation: "I am still suffering from my condition. I probably need an operation here? (the "amnystitis" they call it more or less...) [...] an o