Collection Théâtrale André Antoine

129 Pages·2016·1 MB·English

Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
FINDING GUIDE

Special Collections
John M. Kelly Library
University of St Michael’s College in the University of Toronto

Arrangement and Description: Dr. Yannick Portebois
Finding Guide Created by: Sheila Eaton 2014
Introduction 3
About the Collection 3
Letters and Collected Material Series 5
Archival Box 1 5
Folders 1-18 | Estate box «Léon Deffoux, Céard, Huysman, etc.» 5
J. K. Huysmans 5
Deffoux, Deffoux-Descharmes 6
Deffoux-Lantoine 7
Deffoux-Zavie 8
Deffoux-Bloch 9
Deffoux-De Jouvenel 9
Deffoux-Maurice LeBlond 9
Archival Box 2 23
Folders 19-29 | Estate box marked: André Antoine, Georges Ancey 23
Georges Ancey 23
Archival Box 3 35
Folders 30-42 35
Antoine 36
Archival Box 4 48
Folders 43-53 | Documents and Letters 48
Archival Box 5 52
Folders 54-62 | Estate box marked «Antoine (family)» 52
Theatre documents Series 60
Archival Box 6 60
Folders 63-85 | Various theatre programmes (first half of the 20th century) 60
Archival Box 7 63
Folders 86-109 63
Archival Box 8 67
Folders 110-115 | Magazine articles and plays 67
Archival Box 8A - 12 68
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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
Folders 116-184 | Unbound plays 68
Archival Box 9 71
Archival Box 10 73
Archival Box 11 76
Archival Box 12 78
Scrapbook Series 81
Archival Boxes 13-15 81
Folders 13, 14, 15 81
Autograph Letters of Émile Zola series 84
Archival Box 16 84
Estate box marked «EMILE ZOLA DOCUMENTS ORIGINAUX» 84
Folders 185-224 | Émile Zola: autograph letters 84
Naturalist novelists Series 97
Archival Box 17 97
Folders 225-237 97
Framed Items Series 105
Archival Box 18 105
Archival Box 19 105
Books Series 107
Zola first editions and other books by and about Zola 107
Other editions and volumes of interest 111
Translations 113
About Zola and other books 113
Books about theatre (from the study) 114
Books (secondary sources) with a dedicace to James Sanders: 115
Georges Ancey 115
Antoine (by and about) 116
Other Books 123
Periodicals (from the study) 123
Periodicals (bound) 123
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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
Periodicals (unbound) 124
Misc. 126

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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
I N T R O D U C T I O N
About the Collection
The Collection Théâtrale André Antoiné is a collection of material related
to 19th and early 20th century French theatre.

The material was received in the Spring of 2010 from Prof. Marilyn Kidd of the University of Western on
behalf of Professor James B. Sanders, a 19th and 20th century theatre specialist who spent his career at the
University of Western Ontario. Sanders collaborated for many years on the publication of Zola’s
Correspondence, a 10-volume project which was completed in 1995 at the University of Toronto. As the
records from this project, the Emile Zola Research Program, are located at St. Michael’s College, Professor
Sanders wished for his books and documents to be located here as well.
The Collection consists of papers from director André Antoine; letters from Antoine; letters to Antoine from
various playwrights, whose plays he staged; photographs of actors and actresses; letters from various members
of Antoine's family; 40 autograph letters from Emile Zola; letters from and to journalist Léon Deffoux; letters
from and to Maurice LeBlond, Emile Zola's son-in-law; letters from and to playwright Georges Ancey and his
wife; several first editions of Zola's novels, some with bound autograph letters; more than 80 plays in their
original wrappers, bearing dedications by the authors, approval stamps from the Censorship Bureau, or stage
directions; photographs of actors and actresses from the turn of the century; as well as correspondence from
playwrights, journalists, and novelists; periodicals and playbills. Throughout the Collection are photocopied
documents, collected by Sanders, as contextual material about the era and referenced events or articles within
the correspondence. Also included are original letters sent to Sanders from the friends and relatives of those
The Collection is 2.4 metres in extent and has been arranged into 5 series:
1. Letters and Collected Material
2. Theatre Documents
3. Scrapbooks
4. Autograph Letters of Emile Zola
5. Naturalist Novelists Series
Some material is restricted see item level descriptions for details.
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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
Books from this Collection, including Zola’s first editions are searchable through the University of Toronto
catalogue:
http://search.library.utoronto.ca/search?Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=Anywhere&N=4294967056
&Nu=p_work_normalized&Ntt=zola&Np=1&uuid=7e44f2cf-294a-4f23-b834-b047f7a4850f
Images:

For related material see: Emile Zola Research Program fonds | Sable Collection
This is a paragraph – Normal Text or Body Text

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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
L E T T E R S AN D C O L L E C T E D M AT E R I AL S E R I E S
Archival Box 1
Folders 1-18 | Estate box «Léon Deffoux, Céard, Huysman, etc.»
Correspondence between Léon Deffoux (literary critic) and Maurice LeBlond
(Émile Zola’s son-in-law).Deffoux and other correspondents.
J.-K. Huysmans (a few letters).
FOLDER 1
J. K. Huysmans
*Autograph letter (seemingly) by J.K. Huysmans to «Mons. Arnoud», dated «Vendredi 21 Xbre»
Letter in which Huysmans offers a copy of his novel À Vau l’eau to Arnoud; he evokes somes memories.
*Autograph letter from J.K. Huysmans to J.H. Rosny – with envelope, stamped from Toulon, 21 July,
1891 (according to the Paris stamp at the back of the envelope) – the envelope bears the address of
Alphonse Lemerre, Rosny’s publisher
Letter in which Huysmans talks about Le Termite, a gallery of literary portraits published by Rosny in 1890.
He enjoyed the book but deplores that the portraits of Villiers de l’Isle Adam and Barbey d’Aurevilly may
leave something to be desired.
FOLDER 2
Publication: Quatrième promenade dans le Paris cher à Joris Karl Huysmans. Husmans et le Quartier
Montparnasse; le décor des Soeurs Vatard. Commentaire par M. Félix-Edmond Fabre, le 15 mars 1953
Walking tour of Montparnasse, as depicted by Huysmans in his novels. Typed document; 150 copies issued
for the Amis de J.K. Huysmans – this copy is number 122 (as stated on last page).
FOLDER 3
Le Capitole politique et littéraire et La Herse, mars 1924. Special issue on François de Curel. Deluxe edition
on papier madagascar, bearing number 31.

FOLDER 4
Autograph letter by François de Curel to an actress [Sylvie?] dated «Nice 31 décembre 1925)
De Curel is reassuring the actress that the play went well and that she would have success. He states some of
the changes he made to the dialogue. With transcription by Sanders.

FOLDER 5
Photograph of Léon Deffoux (passport photo – dated 1930 at the back)
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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine

Publication – offprint from Le Mercure de France: Léon Deffoux, Lucien Descaves, Paris, Extrait du Mercure de
France, 1940.

FOLDER 6
Autograph letters (2) by Léon Deffoux to Dominique Braga [as to the pencil annotation on the letters]
– dated «8 juillet 1919» and «29/9 1919
«8 juillet 1919»: Deffoux wishes to submit an article about Edmond de Goncourt on the occasion of his
anniversary to the newspaper Le Pays [where Braga works]
«29/9 1919»: Deffoux announces that Zavie wishes to submit an article about Jean Pellerin’s new book

*Autographs by Léon Deffoux (2)
on the title page of Un communard (page clipped out from the book): «À Mr G. de Chevigné – De la part de
Mme Habey – Hommage de l’auteur, Léon Deffoux»
on a page from the Bulletin de la Société J.-K. Huysmans, août 1937 [note pencilled on the item], at the bottom,
a hand-written note: «15/ VI 1942. Mon cher Auriant, Voici l’article qui vous manque. Je l’ai en double.
Laissez-moi vous signaler que, dans l’édition des “Oeuvres complètes” de J.-K. H., aux notes d’À Rebours,
page 241, Descaves date du 28 mai 1886 le papier de Francis Enne. Tout affectueusement» - the signature is
missing but the upper part of a “D” is visible.

FOLDER 7
Various biographical documents of interest: photocopy of Léon Deffoux’s handwritten c.v. – press
clippings about his career – undated, untitled document (typed) about Deffoux’s career [probably by J.
Sanders] – advertising material for two books by Deffoux, a letter from the Institut de France
acknowledging receiving a copy of Deffoux’s book, etc.

FOLDER 8
Typed letter [carbon copy] from Émile Zavie to Jacques Mourier (lawyer), dated 19 november 1931
Zavie talks about Louis Savary, the collaborator of Deffoux for many years.

Deffoux, Deffoux-Descharmes
FOLDER 9
Autograph letter from René Descharmes [to Deffoux?], dated 29 septembre [1917]
Is responding to a previous letter from his correspondent – could meet with him at the Bibliothèque
nationale if the matter is urgent.

Autograph letter with envelope from René Descharmes to Léon Deffoux, dated 21 mars [probably
1918, according to the stamp on the envelope, which also bears the stamp of the Ministère de la Guerre,
where Descharmes was working].
Descharmes thanks Deffoux for sending his last book about Flaubert. He is himself thinking about writing
about Flaubert and the académie, but feels discouraged because of the war.

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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
Autograph letter from René Descharmes to Léon Deffoux, dated 15 juin [probably 1922, according to a
note pencilled by Deffoux on the upper left-hand corner]
Descharmes asks Deffoux if he knows of any autographs of Flaubert. Descharmes is preparing an edition of
Flaubert’s correspondence because the edition published by Fasquelle contains many errors.

Autograph letter with envelope from René Descharmes to Léon Deffoux, dated 29 juillet [probably
1922, according to the stamp on the envelope – which bears the header: «Muséum national d’histoire
naturelle – Bibliothèque»]
On letterhead of the «Muséum national d’histoire naturelle – Bibliothèque – Rue de Buffon, no 8»
Thanks Deffoux for sending the last issue of Le Radical, in which Deffoux published the text of a letter by
Flaubert. Descharmes will use it in his edition of Flaubert – although he has to run to the printing shop
because the book is being printed.
Deffoux-Lantoine
FOLDER 10
Autograph letter with envelope from Albert Lantoine to Léon Deffoux, dated 24 juillet 1918
Thanks Deffoux for sending his book on le testament Goncourt. Evokes Zola and the Dreyfus Affair.

Autograph letter from Albert Lantoine to Léon Deffoux, dated 14 janv. [19]19 – on letterhead of «Le
livre mensuel, 24, rue de Navarin (9e) Paris»
Lantoine thanks Deffoux for sending his article. He sollicits his help on various matters related to literary
criticism.

Autograph letter from Albert Lantoine to Léon Deffoux, dated «3 8bre» [3 octobre] (1919, from internal
evidence – reference to a book by Marcello Fabri (La force de vivre) published by Le livre mensuel] - on
letterhead of «Le livre mensuel, 24, rue de Navarin (9e) Paris»
Asks Deffoux how to proceed to submit a book to the Académie Goncourt, for its annual literary prize. Le
livre mensuel just published a novel by Marcello Fabri – which could be considered for the prize.

Autograph letter from Albert Lantoine to Léon Deffoux, dated «26 8bre 21» [26 octobre 1921]
Talks about his last book, a copy of which he is sending to Deffoux. Invites Deffoux to join his group of
free masons; he would be honoured to have him as a colleague, but will understand if Deffoux refuses.
Autograph letter from Albert Lantoine to Léon Deffoux, dated 2 nov. [19]21
Refers to an offer he made to Deffoux [and that Deffoux seems to have declined]. Lantoine reiterates his
esteem for Deffoux.
Autograph letter from Albert Lantoine to Léon Deffoux, n.d. (reference to an article published in Le
Mercure about Sarajevo – check)
Offers an article on Bulgaria – where he gave a series of confences. Asks Deffoux to help him find an issue
of the Mercure de France (1st May ?), in which there is an article on Sarajevo by Poncins.
Two empty envelopes addressed to Léon Deffoux, stamped 3-XI-1921 and 20-10-21, with header: «Le
livre mensuel»
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Collection Théâtrale André Antoine
Deffoux-Zavie
FOLDER 11
Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «le 17 septembre 16»
In answer to Deffoux’s letters of 9 September and 10 September. Does not want to talk about the news, to
avoid the letters being intercepted. Discusses various authors and critics; what will be published after the
war; his own writing and the poor state of his health.
Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «8 février 1917»
Hopes to be in Paris for the launch of his book; Discusses authors and critics; thinks that the Mercure de
France may dislike them, and they should publish in other periodicals; he is still working on his book.
Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «Tiflis, le 12 juillet 1917» - the letter is
numbered: «Lettre IV»
Assures Deffoux that the Revolution in Russia was not bloody and that everything is calm; everything is
very expensive; Russian soldiers are not prepared for freedom; may be going to Kiev.
Autograph letter with envelope from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «Tiflis, le 14 juillet 1917» -
the letter is numbered: «Lettre V»
Has read their article about Maupassant in the Mercure de France; notes some linguistic changes;
Letter is continued under the date of «19 juillet 1917»: talks about the Bolchevik revolution; asks for more
mail because he feels isolated; will send an article on the Russian revolution for Deffoux to submit to a
periodical; asks for books.

Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «Tiflis le 20 juillet/2 août 1917» - the letter is
numbered: «Lettre VII»
Talks cautiously about the Russian revolution because he does not want the letter to be intercepted.

Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «le 30/12 décembre 1917» - on letterhead of
the Russian Red Cross – official numbering: «No 22»
Wonders if he receives all the mail that is sent to him, considering that little reaches him; events are
unfolding very quickly in Russia; asks Deffoux to write more often.

Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «Ourmiak (Perse) le 26 janvier 1918» - the
letter is numbered: «Lettre 29»
Has read Wilson’s speech regarding peace; wonders if the Germans will understand; Russian soldiers are
deserting and pillaging; terror, which could lead population to accept any government that will bring order
back; his book is completed and he hopes to be soon in France; asks for press clippings, not books.
Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «Camp de Eckmuhl, 29 mai 1918»
Has received 3 letters from Deffoux at once; discusses authors and critics; gossips from literary life in Paris.
Autograph letter from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «le 10 août 1918»- envelope bears a sticker at
the back: «Open under Martial Law – front bears the address of Zavie: «Ambulance alpine du Caucase.
French Medical Mission»
Was hoping to be back in France, but is being sent back to Russia; acknowledges being tired; has not heard
from his wife; asks Deffoux not to tell her that he is sent to Russia; asks Deffoux to write and to try to do
something for his repatriation.
Autograph postcard from Émile Zavie to Léon Deffoux, dated «21 août 1918» –postcard: photo of
Zavie standing in a snowbank; in the bottom right-hand corner: «À mon vieux Deffoux, son ami, E.Z.,
Ourmiak, février 1918. L’hiver, la neige dans un jardin persan» - the letter continues on a separate piece of
lined paper.
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