Autographes

1868 · 78482 — 1868. Fine. s. d. mai 1868 13.50 x 20.70 cm 2 pages sur un double feuillet Autograph letter signed by George Sand addressed to Alphonse Peyrat two pages written in black ink on a double sheet. Transverse folds inherent to mailing. Interesting letter evoking one of her faithful friends: Jean Patureau-Francoeur. George Sand had published a long obituary article in tribute to this close friend in L'Avenir national on May 2 1868. She described her late friend with great tenderness: ""C'était un simple paysan un vigneron des faubourgs de Châteauroux. Il avait appris tout seul à écrire et il écrivait très remarquablement avec ces naïves incorrections qui sont presque des grâces dans un style rustique et spontané. . Ce petit homme robuste à grosse tête ronde au teint coloré à l'œil bleu étincelant et doux était doué d'une façon supérieure. Il voyait la nature il l'observait il l'aimait et il la savait. . Son existence parmi nous fut pénible agitée méritante. Naturellement un esprit aussi complet que le sien devait se passionner pour les idées de progrès et de civilisation. Il fut avant la Révolution le représentant populaire des aspirations de son milieu et il travailla à les diriger vers un idéal de justice et d'humanité. ."" ""He was a simple peasant a wine-grower from the suburbs of Châteauroux. He had taught himself to write and he wrote remarkably well with those naive incorrections that are almost graces in a rustic and spontaneous style. . This sturdy little man with his large round head his ruddy complexion his sparkling and gentle blue eyes was gifted in a superior way. He saw nature observed it loved it and understood it. . His existence among us was painful agitated meritorious. Naturally a mind as complete as his had to be passionate about ideas of progress and civilization. He was before the Revolution the popular representative of his milieu's aspirations and he worked to direct them toward an ideal of justice and humanity. ."" In 1848 Patureau was elected mayor of Châteauroux and became the spokesman for the workers of his commune. ""Au moment du coup d'État il fut poursuivi mais il se cacha dans des familles amies et échappa à la police. George Sand obtint difficilement sa grâce ce qui lui permit de regagner Châteauroux. Il fut arrêté en janvier 1858 à la suite de la loi de sûreté générale."" ""At the time of the coup d'état he was pursued but he hid with friendly families and escaped the police. George Sand obtained with difficulty his pardon which allowed him to return to Châteauroux. He was arrested in January 1858 following the general security law."" ""Il resta un mois au cachot sur la paille en plein hiver. Quand on le mit dans la voiture cellulaire qui le dirigeait vers l'Afrique il était presque aveugle et depuis il a toujours souffert cruellement des yeux"" ""He remained a month in the dungeon on straw in the middle of winter. When they put him in the prison van that was taking him to Africa he was almost blind and since then he has always suffered cruelly with his eyes"" George Sand. In September 1858 following an intervention by George Sand with her friend Jérôme-Napoléon Napoleon III's cousin he was released but remained under surveillance. He settled in Algeria after obtaining permission to come to Châteauroux to sell his house and vineyard and to fetch his family. In Algeria he lived by his trade as a wine-grower was part of the Agricultural Society of Philippeville and wrote a treatise on viticulture."" Maintron ""À présent je viens vous demander de me payer ce petit article le plus cher que vous pouvez et d'envoyer le prix directement à Joseph Patureau rue de cluis n°7 à Châteauroux. Indre. Et cela le plus tôt possible."" ""Now I come to ask you to pay me for this little article as dearly as you can and to send the payment directly to Joseph Patureau rue de cluis n°7 à Châteauroux. Indre. And this as soon as possible."" Jos unknown