Fleuve profond, sombre rivière. Les “Negro spirituals”, commentaires et traductions.
(Paris): Gallimard, (1980). Presentation copy. Inscribed to Bernard Hassell. In original, illustrated paper. 282, (6) p. In fine condition.
The dedication reads: à Bernard Hassel[!] en souvenir de notre rencontre à Paris et de deux bonnes soirées à Vence dans la maison entourée de beau jardin. Bien sympathiquement, Marguerite Yourcenar. 18 fév. 1981.”
Marguerite Yourcenar (1903–1987) was a Belgian-born French author, who was the first women elected to the Académie française in 1980.
Bernard Hassell (1930–1991) was an American actor and dancer, James Baldwin’s companion. Baldwin (1924–1987) was an African American gay writer and civil rights activist. He and Yourcenar were good friends and in 1982 Yourcenar translated his play “The Amen Corner” into French.
Price: €2,200.00