PROUST (Marcel) et al. Set of about 500 letters... Lot 101

PROUST (Marcel) et al. Set of about 500 letters and cards addressed to Ernesta de Herschel dite Maria Star, mounted on tabs in 5 in-4 volumes, 2 in morocco, 2 in chagrin and one in stiff vellum, with, for four of them, rich decorations of gilt carnations or stars on the spine and in semis on the boards; spines a little faded (one by David, one by Randanne, 2 by Vermorel, and one unsigned). GALLERY OF EPISTOLARY PORTRAITS TRACING THE LIFE OF A PROUSTIAN SALON. ERNESTA DE HERSCHEL, "A REMARKABLE PERSON": "Originally from Trieste, she published light novels under the name of Maria Star. Her salon, 68 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, was one of the most brilliant of the time; the décor was composed of Italian Renaissance furniture, Persian carpets, oriental earthenware, medieval Virgins, Chinese horses, Hindu deities, and was in keeping with the character of the mistress of the house. At a time when society was still very compartmentalized, she brought together the most diverse personalities: heads of state, artists, clerics or Freemasons, in the midst of whom she reigned like a magician. At the time of the Dreyfus Affair, only Paul Bourget left her. She had married the banker Louis Stern, also of Austrian origin [...]. THIS SALON, FREQUENTLY VISITED BY REYNALDO AND MARCEL, MAY HAVE INSPIRED, ALSO, THAT OF MME VERDURIN" (Jean-Yves Tadié, Marcel Proust. Biographie, Paris, Galimard, Folio, 1996, vol. I, p. 354). Some of these collections were constituted by Ernesta de Herschel, of letters received on the occasion of the publication of her books, some of which can be found on the back of the present volumes. THIS RECEIVED CORRESPONDENCE INCLUDES A BEAUTIFUL LETTER FROM MARCEL PROUST, ABSENT FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE EDITED BY PHILIP KOLB. Madame, what a charming surprise! You, from whom I thought I had unfortunately forgotten myself for many years, not without often postponing my memory to happy and distant days, you send me, at the height of your literary reputation, a work of yours with a charming dedication. It was a joy, joy of the heart, of the spirit, of the faithful memory. I am at the moment so tired cerebrally as a result of the illness which overwhelms me, that I am forbidden to read and write. I have just violated the second of these prohibitions with great pleasure to tell you my grateful pleasure. I will break the first one to read you with attention and interest. And I will tell you my impressions. In the meantime, please accept, Madam, the homage of my respectful devotion..." (3 pp. in-8, mourning border). Letters and cards from Paul ADAM, Jules Bois, Abel BONNARD, Madeleine BRISSON, Lucien DAUDET, Anatole FRANCE, Edmond HARAUCOURT, Léo LARGUIER, Gabriel de La ROCHEFOUCAULD, Henri LAVEDAN, Paul MARIETON, Pol NEVEUX, Anna de NOAILLES, Pierre de NOLHAC, Marcel PREVOST, Henri de REGNIER, Octave UZANNE, etc. - Léon BONNAT, Jules CHERET, Antonio de LA GANDARA, Madeleine LEMAIRE - Édouard COLONNE, Gabriel FAURE, Reynaldo HAHN, Jules MASSENET, Charles-Marie WIDOR. - Albert VANDAL, Samuel POZZI. - Paul DESCHANEL, Paul DOUMER, Hubert LYAUTEY, Alfred MEZIERES, Prince NAPOLEON. - Léontine Arman de CAILLAVET, Adhéaume de CHEVIGNE, Nelly de ROTHSCHILD - LUGNE-POË, etc.