[COLETTE, Sidonie Gabrielle (1873-1954)]
Death notice
[Paris], 7th August 1954, 1 p. in-8° (17,2 x 11,8 cm)
Very rare funeral announcement of the novelist
Fact sheet
[COLETTE, Sidonie Gabrielle (1873-1954)]
Death notice
[Paris], 7th August 1954, 1 p. in-8° (17,2 x 11,8 cm)
Printed card in black ink
Tiny spot on lower margin, otherwise fine condition throughout
Very rare funeral announcement of the novelist
« Funérailles
de COLETTE
Membre de l’Académie Goncourt
Membre de l’Académie Royale de Langue et de Littérature Françaises de Belgique
Grand officier de la Légion d’Honneur
le Samedi 7 Août 1954, à 11 heures 30
Cour d’Honneur du Palais Royal
Les fleurs devront être déposées entre 9 et 10 heures
Cour d’Honneur du Palais Royal
[Au verso] Arrivé des voitures par la rue de Valois avant 11 heures. »
Colette died on 3 August 1954 at 9, rue de Beaujolais. Her apartment, situated high above the ground, offered an unobstructed view of the gardens of the Palais-Royal. The funeral ceremony was held on 7 August in the Cour d’Honneur, that is, on the opposite side of the gardens, at the spot where the Colonnes de Buren stand today.
Colette’s scandalous reputation led the Catholic Church to refuse the celebration of a religious funeral. France, however, paid tribute to her: Colette became the first woman to whom the Republic granted a state funeral. She was buried in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery.
The present funeral notice indicates an arrival via Section “B,” that is, through rue de Valois.
Section “A” directs attendees to enter via rue de Montpensier.
A precious document.