ROYÈRE Jean (1871-1956).

71 L.A.S. "Jean Royère" or "Jean" and 2 L.A. (incomplete), 1932-1954, to Armand GODOY; 230 pages in-4 or in-8, most of them on the letterhead of La Phalange. Important literary correspondence. Jean Royère founded and directed the review La Phalange from 1906 to 1914. He found in Armand GODOY a "very dear brother", who helped him to resurrect La Phalange in December 1935, after a twenty-one year interruption. These long letters are written from Paris, Divonne-les-Bains, Vernon, Avignon, and Dinard. We can only give a brief overview. Royère is "thrilled" by the "brilliant" poetry of Godoy (8 July 1932), for whom he dreams of the Nobel Prize... He speaks of Frontons (1932), of Triste et tendre (1935), and of his faithful interventions in favour of Godoy... He reflects on the evolution of Western thought, from logic to psychology, as well as on the symbol in art, music, and love. "You see the psychological palingenesis of music in the art of love and in the art of God or, if you prefer, of Man and for the artist the intimation of a language and rhythm which are a surrhythm, an asymmetrical surge of catachrises and hyperbolic and sustained repetitions. Here is the psychology of musical musicism totally opposed to the other, to that of sculptural musicism which is the art of concrete space" (July 2, 1934)... There was only a "vague question" of taking over La Phalange in June 1935, but the journal quickly took up the correspondence: relations with the editor, distribution, inclusion of verses by Godoy ("you are advancing steadily on the steep slope of the Pindus", 15 July 1936), choice of contributors, quality of contributions, translations, special issues, supplements, print runs, proofs, subscriptions, finances, competition... Politics also had its place: Royère spoke frequently and at length about the Popular Front, the Spanish war, the threat of the Red Dragon, etc. France "is governed by Bolshevism and Spain as well" (4 August [1936]); "Bolshevism must die... or poetry" ([summer 1936]); he marched with Hitler; "the tragic circumstances of the moment must absolutely put Mussolini at the pinnacle, for the salvation of the world" (12 September 1936)... After the war, he suffered materially, but his last letter is an explosion of joy for the masterpiece of Godoy's Breviary... There is mention of Gabriele d'Annunzio, Louis Barthou, Binet-Valmer, Auguste and Georges Blaizot, Henry Bordeaux, Abbé Brémond, Jean Cassou, Raymond Christofl our, George-Day, André Devaux, Jean Dolent, Paul Fort, Francis Jammes, Tristan Klingsor, Lugné-Poe, Mallarmé, Camille Mauclair, Albert Messein, Jean-Antoine Nau, Marcel Prévost, Marie de Régnier, Émile Ripert, Saint-Pol-Roux, Paul Valéry, Théo Varlet, etc. Plus a typescript with autograph corrections, Quelques mots sur Armand Godoy (4 p. in-4), and the manuscript of an address to René Vannier, relating to Godoy. Three volumes by Jean Royère, first editions, bound by Canape half red morocco with corners, are enclosed. Clartés sur la poésie (Paris, Albert Messein, 1925). One of 15 copies on Arches laid paper, Jean Royère's personal copy, enriched with 2 autograph poems by Jean Royère (Lumière sceau natal and Eurythmies retrouvées dedicated to Paul Valéry) and the autograph prière d'insérer, a l.a.s. from René GHIL to Jean Royère (the last one, May 30, 1925), an autograph article by Louis de Gonzague FRICK on the book with a l.a.s., and a card a.s. from Abbé Brémond. Mallarmé, preceded by a Lettre sur Mallarmé by Paul Valéry (Paris, Simon Kra, 1927). One of 40 copies on Hollande with large margins. Superb and long lettering a.s. to Armand Godoy. Another copy, on edition paper, similarly bound, with a s.a. to Armand Godoy's fi ls. O quêteuse que voici (Paris, Simon Kra, 1928). One of the 20 copies on Hollande (n° 6), with a letter to Mme Armand Godoy.