VERLAINE (Paul). Mes Hôpitaux. - Lot 299

VERLAINE (Paul). Mes Hôpitaux. Exceptional copy on large paper, enriched with two original watercolors by Frédéric-Auguste. Cazals, an intimate witness to the poet's years of suffering. Paris, Léon Vanier, 1891. In-8 (19 x 13 cm). Bound in burgundy red half-percaline, smooth spine decorated with gilt irons and gilt title-piece. Covers preserved. 74pp. 1f. In very good condition. First edition. One of only a few copies on Hollande laid paper, not numbered. Decorated with a bistre portrait of Paul Verlaine by F.A. Cazals dated 1890 & accompanied by an autograph facsimile of a verse by Verlaine. An exceptional copy with TWO ORIGINAL AQUARELLES by F.A. CAZALS, executed on the recto and verso of the same folio, signed with the artist's monogram. The first is "Paul Verlaine à l'Hôpital Brou[ssais]" in a superb Art Nouveau frame; the second is a full-length portrait of Verlaine facing front, holding a cane in his right hand. Frédéric-Auguste Cazals (1865-1941) met Paul Verlaine (1844-1896) probably for the first time in April 1886 at the Hôtel du Midi. A draughtsman, journalist and songwriter by turns, he published his first literary portraits in Le Décadent on May 9, 1886, on the advice of the poet, who soon paid particular attention to his youngest son; a friendship was born, with Verlaine soon developing a passion for the young man. Their friendship ended in June 1890 with a break-up at Esther's request. They reconciled in January 1891. After working as a journalist for Le Cri du peuple, Cazals founded Paris-Littéraire in 1889, while also working as a chansonnier at Le Procope and Le Soleil d'Or. Soleil d'Or. In 1896, he published his Iconographie sur Verlaine. Verlaine dedicated many poems to him. "From 1886 onwards, Verlaine made frequent visits to Paris hospitals: Tenon, Broussais, Cochin, L'Asile des convalescents Saint-Maurice... He was treated for old arthritis, brought on by alcohol abuse and traces of a venereal disease. During convalescence, the poet continued to work and even entertained his friends. His discomforts inspired this short prose text prose, which probably served as an outlet and was published by Léon Vanier, his regular editor: "One gets used to this monastic life to this monastic life, without, alas, oraison and the rule followed for its own sake. The bed penetrates you. You live it to the full. ( Sale 2011) Copy in perfect condition. Provenance: bookplate of D. Zierer, bibliophile whose library of mainly illustrated books was dispersed in 1960.