Autograph letter signed "Marmontel" from the famed French Pianist, composer, teacher. Undated. 2 pp. To the piano teacher Mme De Valencey, translated in full: "Madame, I am obliged to defer for a few days my sending you the portrait from which you wish to draw. Pierre Petit [famed photographer, 1831 - 1909] is waiting for a ray of son and therefore we must wait too alas! I am happy, Madame, to have this occasion to affirm my sympathy towards you and to tell you how happy I am about the progress, I mean truly the transformation of our dear student Mlle. Rambert. Thanks to your careful attention and our mutual devotion, the dear girl will certainly have a very distinguished style and talent, in line with the good training. Please accept the homage of my affectionate sentiments and high regard." Very fine. 4 x 5 inches; 10 x 12.5 cm.

[ "Madame, Je suis obligé de differer de quelques jours l'envoi du portrait que vous voulez bien dessiner. Pierre Petit attend un rayon de soleil et nous aussi hélas! Je suis heureux Madame d'avoir cette occasion de vous affirmer ma sympathie et aussi de vous dire combien je suis heureux des progrés, je dirai meme de la transformation de notre chère petite élève Mlle Rambert? Grace a vos soins attentifs, et a notre mutuel dévouement la chère enfant aura certainement un talent trés distingué et un style vrai, correct de bonne école. Agréer Madame l'hommage de mes sentiments affecteux et de ma haute considération."]

A pupil of Zimmermann and Le Sueur, he succeeded Zimmermann at the Conservatoire de Paris in 1848 and retained his post there until his retirement in 1887. His reputation as a teacher was outstanding and his pupils included Albeniz, Debussy, d'Indy, Diemer, MacDowell, Pierne and Plante.