COCTEAU Jean (1889 - 1963)

3 L.A. signed from the star with DRAWINGS, [1940], to "Jeannot", Jean MARAIS; 1 page in-4 each at address 19, place de la Madeleine.
Letters to soldier Jeannot, illustrated with drawings of dog 107.
[Jean Marais had been mobilized in the 107th air battalion; having found a dog, he named it "107", like his battalion]. "My Jeannot, sweet 107. Every Sunday is the most beautiful Sunday and the week is the ugliest week, except in dreams and memories. I live in a room that is half Ritz, half Hotel du Commerce, and the corridors here are haunted by a figure in a brown sweater who carries a doggie on his left arm and a music case in his right hand. Coco [CHANEL] was sad about the accident that happened to one of her godchildren.
[...] She is going to make the Margat sweater [one of the lieutenants of Jean Marais, commander of her company] and is planning the surprise of 140 Christmas charms. I'm going to get you a real lucky charm instead of the horse and the blue God. [...] I would like to have your strength and go back to work to live and that you live calmly while waiting for our Typewriter"...
The letter is signed with 7 stars; on the back drawing of the dog.
Ritz. "My Jeannot, my son, my angel, my dad 107. I wrote to you last night and this morning, but I am still sad because Sunday and Monday morning break the rhythm of the letters and the vaguemestre risks remaining two days without envelopes from me." He evokes the "trials of Manon" [made by Marais to play the role of Des Grieux]... "I refuse to let myself be defeated by a false laziness disguised as discouragement. I will fight for France, for you, for me, for us, and for America to stop boasting about our discoveries. Tell 107 to lick your ear" (drawing of the dog at the head of the letter).
"My Jeannot. A few more lines before I embark on this terrible English adventure [...] Over there - rue de Grenelle - they will show me my English translation, just one hour before the performance. That's how much stage fright I have. Fortunately I don't travel without my
Jeannot and his supreme calm. I haven't even swallowed any Valerianate or Veronidia. I only count on your dear eyes that watch me and trust me. I don't care about anything else. I know that even in sleep you will help me with your prayers and your attentive love"... At the top, a drawing of a dog covered with a starry coat.