ELUARD Paul (1895-1952).

3 L.A.S. and one L.S. "Paul Eluard" or "Paul", 1936-1948, to Hans BELLMER; 4 pages in-8 or in-4 (one typed), 2 envelopes. Beautiful friendly and artistic correspondence between the poet and the artist. The correspondence opens on January 5, 1936. Eluard expresses his admiration for Bellmer's work, whose drawings he will exhibit at the Surrealist exhibition at the Salon des Indépendants: "I should have told you a long time ago how much I admire everything you do, how much your work touches me. The last photographs of your doll are great wonders. Never before has a creation, a creature of the imagination, been given such a particular, real life"... January 8, he is happy "to have finally the Games of the Doll, admirably coloured and which give off a frightening perfume"... April 8, 1940, Eluard is mobilized as a lieutenant and Bellmer, arrested as a German citizen, has been sent to Forcalquier in a company of service providers employed in various repair works: "Don't think that we forget you. For you, alas, I can do nothing more than what I have done: speak to people, recommend you. Do not forget that I am a soldier. I am often sick. The winter that persists here is no good to me. At the moment I am in bed. It is a good idea to publish for your exhibition the text that you quote me. Please join this dedication: "To Hans Bellmer, in the heart of the most secret, deepest innocence". Together with Zervos I have chosen many of your illustrations for Cahiers d'Art. I hope to see you soon, my dear friend, and never doubt our affection"... April 7, 1948: "Are you still in Toulouse? And delivered from Gheerbrant?"... We join the announcement of death of Paul Eluard, November 18, 1952, addressed to Hans BELLMER (1 p. in-4, envelope).