CLAUDEL Paul (1868-1955). Lot n° 40

TWO corrected typescripts, and autograph manuscript of the Preface, Le Soulier de satin, Saint-André 30 November 1924; 281 and 280 pages in-4, and 5 pages in-4 in envelope titled by Claudel; ostrich skin slipcase with window showing title, spine titled gold (Alain Devauchelle). Two complete typescripts of the work, bearing autograph corrections by Claudel, who corrects accents, punctuation, and moves some paragraphs. Autograph preface, bearing full title: Le Soulier de satin ou le Pire n'est pas toujours sûr. Spanish action in IV days, with the dedication "To the painter José Maria Sert", and the two epigraphs: "Deus escreve direite por linhas tortas (Portuguese proverb). Etiam peccata (Saint Augustine)". The manuscript has variations with the published text. In this famous preface, Claudel gives "some scenic directions" for a possible performance. "It is essential that the tableaux follow each other without the slightest interruption. [...] The stagehands, without the slightest hindrance, will make their arrangements before the very eyes of the audience while the action follows its course [...] The indications of the scenes, when they are thought of and when they do not interfere with the movement, will be either posted, or read by the stage manager, or by the actors themselves [...] Everything must look provisional, in progress, sloppy, incoherent, improvised in the heat of the moment"... The Announcer proclaims the title and declares: "The scene of this drama is the world and more especially Spain at the end of the 16th century, unless it is the beginning of the 17th century. The author has taken the liberty of compressing the countries and the periods, just as at the desired distance several lines of separate mountains form a single horizon. And, after announcing the first day, he adds: "Listen carefully, don't cough and try to understand. It is what you will not understand that is the most beautiful, it is what you will find the longest that is the most interesting, and it is what you will not find amusing that is the funniest"... Published in 1928, Le Soulier de satin was first performed on 27 November 1943 at the Comédie-Française, in an abridged version and directed by Jean-Louis Barrault.