36 - [AUTOGRAPH]. PELADAN, Josephin. Signed autograph letter.

[AUTOGRAPH]. PELADAN, Josephin. Signed autograph letter. A beautiful signed autograph letter by Joséphin Péladan (1858–1918), founder of the Rose-Croix salons and a leading figure of Decadentism. 1 page, in-8 format (16 x 25 cm), handwritten in blue ink on yellow paper, with a header featuring his initials J.P. and the motto “Unguibus et Morsu,” dated February 1887. The sheet is slightly frayed and shows crease marks. Autograph letter signed by the writer and occultist Joséphin Péladan (1858–1918). In it, he discusses the latest developments regarding his writings, announcing the imminent publication of his novel *L’Initiation sentimentale* (Ethopée III of the *La Décadence latine* series, published by Guillaume Edinger in early 1887) and mentioning his previous volume, *Curieuse* (1886). He also discusses his book *Oraison funèbre de mon frère* (“Funeral Oration for My Brother”), a tribute written in memory of his older brother, Dr. Adrien Péladan (a homeopathic physician and occultist who died tragically from poisoning in 1885). He also plays up his provocative nature: “I am too Catholic to have my ear to the ground near the long-eared sacristans; and if I am not publicly exorcised, it is out of fear of my audacity and retaliation...” The son of a mystical writer and a fervent follower of Barbey d’Aurevilly, Joseph Péladan quickly turned to the occult sciences. An eccentric figure, he proclaimed himself “Sâr” (meaning prince or king in Assyrian) and adopted the name Mérodack. He then founded the Salons de la Rose-Croix (1892–1898), which became major gathering places for the Symbolist movement, attracting artists from all over Europe in search of spirituality. His major work remains his immense novelistic epic titled *La Décadence latine* (The Decline of the West), a series of 21 novels (including *Le Vice suprême* and *Istar*) that depicts the spiritual decline of Western society in the face of materialism. In excellent condition.