LITERATURE - Paul Verlaine (Metz, 1844 - Parigi, 1896) - Autograph letter signed "P. Verlaine"

Paul Verlaine (Metz, 1844 - Parigi, 1896)Autograph letter signed "P. Verlaine", dated "Le 16 octobre 1893" by the poet, one of the greatest representatives of the Fin de siècle. Addressed to his publisher Leon Vanier. The letter is full of references to his difficult condition on the eve of his departure for Nancy for a conference: "Mon cher Vanier, Je vais beaucoup mieux. Voulez-vous, pour 10 francs, qui me serviront à acheter des chaussons indispensables, car je réapprends à marcher – me prendre cette nouvelle qui se joindra aux autres. Vous en aurez une copie à l'encre, dès mon départ, dans 15 jours. Après quoi, conférences, Nancy pour commencer. La Hollande est lente, mais sûre. Plus un sonnet. Venez donc avant mon départ. Bien à vous" In the 1893 Verlaine spent several months in the hospital suffering from illness and alcoholism. By then he was already recognized as a major French poet and his presence was requested for several conferences across Europe: in Nancy, Luneville, Leyde, Amsterdam, Brussels, Anvers, and Gand. However, the prospect of a successful tour was made difficult by his health problems: he was unable to articulate properly due to his alcoholism and the audiences could barely understand him. In the following year he published "Dans les limbes", announcing that he was no longer inspired to write and that it would be his last book. Written in pencil on an oblong gray sheet. In-8°.