PROUST (Marcel). Autograph letter signed "Marcel Proust" to the administrator of the Nrf, Gustave Tronche. [Paris, shortly before January 11, 1921]. S.l.n.d. 4 pp. in-12, paper a little yellowed. "Dear friend, I can't tell you how much it would have pleased me. But I'm in a terrible state of health at the moment. That's even why I tell you so briefly, 'it's impossible'. If by any chance I was well enough, I'd come for a bit in the evening. But it's so unlikely that I beg you not to trouble yourself in any way, if you're planning to go out and so on. There is not one chance in a thousand that I would come, and if I did (but I won't) it would be for a walk to your house, and even if you weren't there I wouldn't have minded. I would have been very happy to tell Monsieur Romains everything I think of his admirable talent [Gustave Tronche must have invited Marcel Proust to meet Jules Romains]. I'm stopping because I'm tired, even though I haven't said anything I'd like to. I apologize to Gaston [Gallimard], to whom I owe a letter, but as it's a long letter, I'm waiting for a moment's rest before writing to him. In the meantime, I send him, through you, all my affection. You don't know Mr. Baur [sic for Gérard Bauër] of the Écho de Paris? If not, as is almost certain, don't answer me. YOU DON'T KEEP ME INFORMED OF LUXURY SUBSCRIPTIONS, and since you also sell to booksellers, how do you expect me to recognize myself [alluding to the deluxe edition of À l'Ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs published by Gallimard in 1920]... Very kind regards... "