LORRAIN, Jean (1855-1906)
Autograph letter signed “Jean Lorrain”, to a friend
Auteuil [no date], 2 pages in-12 oblong
“Would you like to come to Auteuil for lunch?”
Fact sheet
LORRAIN, Jean (1855-1906)
Autograph letter signed “Jean Lorrain”, to a friend
Auteuil [no date], 2 pages in-12 oblong
Charming invitation for lunch
“Mon cher ami,
Je suis encore à Paris, je le quitte jeudi ou vendredi soir. Demain mercredi je descends à Paris, mais je suis très pris, j’ai toute ma journée prise par des rende-vous qui commencent à deux heures Chausée d’Antin puis s’echelonnant toute la journée.
Voulez-vous venir dejeuner à Auteuil midi précise demain mercredi, nous causerons et descendrons de la à Paris.
Voulez vous me rappeler au bon souvenir de votre mère et me croire votre ami.
Jean Lorrain”
Jean Lorrain is one of the scandalous writers of the Belle Époque, as are Rachilde and Hugues Rebell. His works can be brought closer to the literature of the end of the century. He was openly gay, which was very bold at the time.
Lorrain also remains famous for fighting a duel with Marcel Proust after a violent criticism of the young writer on The Pleasures and The Days. Everything ended without injuries, but not without sadness for the novice author. This book earned Proust a reputation as a dilettante socialite that did not dissipate until after the publication of the first volumes of In Search of Lost Time.