Sonia DELAUNAY (1885-1979)

Two Typed Letters Signed (“Sonia”) to Caroline Delteil giving her news and advice regarding the sale of pictures, Alexander Calder’s exhibition, and sending a message of support.
1 page 4to in French, Paris, 16 July 1965 and 1 page 4to in French, 23 July 1965, both with the envelopes. 
Trans: “I saw Louise Calder [wife of American sculptor Alexander Calder] at the private view of her husband’s exhibition. It is a very beautiful exhibition. I spoke to her about you and explained how you were received when you arrived in Paris. She was very kind and seemed to understand. So I hope things are rather sorted.
Regarding your pictures, I have spoken with a friend. Send them to me; she is interested and she is a broker who is good [i.e., honest]. Do it as quickly as possible, as the holidays start at the end of July and I will then be able to work in peace.
June was terribly exhausting with all the receptions. As usual, I do not go out, one has to show oneself once a year. In addition, I have had a case of anthrax for the past 10 days which is also tiring me.
The weather is changing all the time. It is good for a few hours, then cold and it rains.
Don’t worry. Enjoy your life with Joseph. Everything will sort itself out, especially those unkindnesses you have had. Have the pictures sent. My friend will do her best. . . . Say the prices you want, in new francs or old, note them. . . “
Trans: “I have received the pictures and the sculpture from Claude Bernard to whom I gave a receipt, and I immediately gave them to a friend who may eventually have customers for them. She will write to you directly, for it is not my field. I am leaving it with her because she is really the person who can do it best, so I would advise you to take note of whatever she will tell you. I will be delighted if you get a result.
The only thing I ask is that I be allowed to work and not have too many visitors from abroad.
I hope you will have good weather and that you will have a good holiday.
This person will also check on prices fetched by Calder as I know nothing about all that. The only thing I can tell you is that she will do what is best, knowing that you are a friend. . . .”
The Ukrainian-born artist Sonia Delaunay and American-born Caroline Delteil, wife of the French poet Joseph Delteil had been at the centre of the exciting and innovative artistic life of Paris between the wars.
Delaunay, who together with her husband Robert developed a vibrant, colourful branch of cubism known as orphism, was known for an immense range of design, from painting to fabric design, set design, costumes, furniture and books. For a charity gala in the 1920s, she designed costumes which illustrated a reading of a poem by Joseph Delteil.
She remained on friendly terms with the poet, and with his wife, Caroline. Prior to her marriage with Delteil, Caroline had herself achieved a measure of fame in 1920s Paris when she travelled back to her native America in search of talent for a new jazz revue. The revue, which introduced the then-unknown Josephine Baker to Paris was a sensation and Baker an overnight star.
The second letter has some showthrough of small brown stains, possibly coffee, which are more prominent on the blank verso.

Delivery

Autographs can be delivered worldwide. Delivery costs are calculated at the time of order and items will be sent by the most appropriate means, depending on your location and the value of the item. This will usually be by Royal Mail Special Delivery within the UK and Royal Mail Tracked outside the UK. 

 

The current delivery charges are:

• UK:

  Royal Mail Special Delivery £9.00

• Europe:

  Europe Royal Mail Tracked £15.00
  EU customers should note that, following brexit, local VAT and customs duties may apply to their purchases. 

   USA:

• Royal Mail Tracked £25.00

  Rest of the World:

• Rest of the World Tracked £20.00

   

Export Licensing

Customers should be aware that all letters and documents over 50 years old require an export licence, which may delay delivery by anything from one to three weeks. Signed photographs are not subject to export licence regulations, and can be sent immediately.

There is no charge for the export licence and I will take care of the application, the only inconvenience to you will be the delay.

Authenticity

The authenticity of the letters and documents offered is guaranteed.

Payment

Online sales orders

Payments made via the website are processed by Shopify Inc and can be made using Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Telephone sales orders

Items may be purchased by phone. Please contact me using the website Contact Form and I will call you within 48 hours to discuss your requirements. Payment for purchases ordered by phone can be paid upon receipt of the invoice and must be paid within 7 days. Phone orders can be paid by cheque (in pounds sterling only) or bank transfer.

Items will be reserved for one week following the order confirmation and will be dispatched either within 7 days after full payment has been received, or after any required export licenses have been granted.

Returns Policy

Should you be in any way dissatisfied with your purchase, items may be returned within six weeks of delivery and a full refund will be made upon receipt of the returned item. The item must be received by Richmond Autographs in the same condition as when dispatched.  For full details, please read our Terms and Conditions.