Jules JANSSEN (1824-1907) astronomer. L.A.S., Meudon February 22, 1902, to a "dear great artist and friend"; 1page in-8 on the letterhead of the Observatoire d'Astronomie physique de Paris. Despite his request to Jules Claretie, he has been unable to obtain a seat for the performance of Les Burgraves [at the Comédie française on February 26, 1902, for Victor Hugo's centenary]: "This is not a gala performance where the Institute's share is made". He hopes there will be a second performance.We enclose 2 L.A.S. by Élisée Reclus, to send a copy of La Terre to the publisher Scribner in New York, who should take care of the English edition; and Athénaïs Michelet (Hyères 1866) thanking him with praise for his book.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.