HARDELLET, André. Lot n° 110

Autograph manuscript signed, Uncle Jules; 128 pages in-4 blue morocco. Complete manuscript of this novel, published posthumously in 1986 by Régine Deforges. The project dates back to 1971, when André Hardellet and Régine Deforges were both under the wrath of the censors for the publication of the novel Lourdes, lentes, and accused of pornography. "Shortly before, I had wanted to publish books for children written by real writers and I had asked André to write me a tale. He was amused by my request and, a few days later, he gave me about twenty sheets of paper covered with his large handwriting: it was Uncle Jules, a wonderful text. Several years later, I asked Wiaz to illustrate it. When the book was printed, my heart sank: André would never see his Uncle Jules... I hoped, however, that where he was, in the poets' paradise, he was happy... (L'enfant du 15 août, p. 277). The manuscript remained indeed fifteen years in the drawers of Régine Deforges and will be published only in 1986, illustrated with drawings of Wiaz. The manuscript, in blue ballpoint pen, in Hardellet's large handwriting, shows very few erasures or corrections. It includes an Introduction (signed "A. H.", 3 pages, ) and 8 unnumbered chapters (each with its own pagination): Les Coucous (22 pages), L'étang du Planchon (11 pages), Le soleil se coucher (signed "André", 12 pages), Dupurin (11 pages), Les animaux (16 pages), L'élection de Monsieur Muscles (signed "André", 23 pages), L'orage (signed "André", 24 pages), La Noce (fin), (signed "André Hardellet", 6 pages). The published text corresponds to the manuscript. The age of the hero (31 years) has however been removed from the introduction; some place names left blank have been filled in, and a few words necessary for the understanding of the text have been added, as well as a note on the wandering Jew. Hardellet presents his hero as follows: "Name: Dubois (Jules) Single, 31 years old, living in Maisons-Alfort Occupation: Wanderer".