11 - DUFY (Raoul). Signed autograph letter to Gaspard MAILLOL. No place, February 14, 1919. 3 pp. 1/2 in-8.

DUFY (Raoul). Signed autograph letter to Gaspard MAILLOL. No place, February 14, 1919. 3 pp. 1/2 in-8. “My dear Maillol, I am glad to hear of your release; I, too, have been free since yesterday, at last [Raoul Dufy, mobilized in 1915, had subsequently been called to serve at the library of the War Museum, where he remained until early 1919]. I’ve been sick for the past 15 days… I’ll be going out next week if the weather continues to be mild. I’M VERY HAPPY TO HEAR WHAT YOU’VE TOLD ME ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF YOUR ARTICLE IN THE LE MANS REGION. Did you find the mill of your dreams there? As for Laffitte [Paul Laffitte, director of La Sirène Publishing], I haven’t seen him in three weeks, but I don’t think anything has changed regarding his plans with you. I urge you to go see him and strike while the iron is hot. Your venture is a very good one—I still believe that—and just by making paper for artists, you’re bound to make money, all the more so if you supply the printing industry; starting small, there’s no risk at all. Keep Laffitte informed of the strength of your conviction and enthusiasm, and count on me to speak on your behalf with him. I hope to see you soon. I’d like to ask you for some information about the weather in the Pyrenees right now—I’m tempted to go there for a month’s rest. See you soon, my old friend, and a warm handshake from your Raoul Dufy” THE ART PAPER MANUFACTORY FOUNDED BY ARISTIDE MAILLOL. In 1910, Aristide Maillol received a commission from Harry von Kessler for a series of illustrations for an edition of VIRGIL’S BUCOLICS. He conducted paper experiments that led, with the help of Count Kessler himself, to the founding in 1913 of a paper mill in Montval, near Marly: management was entrusted to his nephew, the painter and engraver Gaspard Maillol, with whom he had conducted the experiments. The Great War interrupted both the company’s operations and the illustration of the Virgil edition (which would be completed in 1926). In 1919, Gaspard Maillol relaunched their production of “Montval” paper near Le Mans, thanks to the support of a local industrialist and amateur artist, Pierre Térouanne.