Schubertiade :: [Belle Époque] de Mérode, Cléo. (1875

[Belle Époque] de Mérode, Cléo. (1875 - 1966)

Archive of Autograph Letters

Highly interesting collection of letters and cards spanning 42 years from the notorious demimondaine, the celebrated beautiful dancer who left the world of ballet for the Folies Bergère, was mistress to King Léopold II and was painted and celebrated by Lautrec, Muller and Klimt. Five autograph letters and two postcards addressed to the New York interior decorator and socialite Anna della Winslow, an intimate of actresses and opera singers worldwide who was a mentor (and landlord!) to Gypsy Rose Lee, among others. 6 of the letters together with their original transmissal envelopes, three of which signed additionally. The letters with various types of content, from the casual to the more personal to the final letter, looking back vividly on the "Belle Époque" itself. In French, as follows:

ALS. 4 pp. Paris, 8 Oct. 1906. Thanking Winslow for the charming birthday surprise, discussing a possible American tour, her current rehearsals at the Opera Comique for a new and wonderful ballet etc.
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Autograph postcard. Paris, June 29, 1910. Thanking her for the postcard with the portrait so beautifully rendered.
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ALS. 4 pp. Budapest, 26 December, 1911. Discussing her busy touring schedule, time in Budapest, Brest, Paris, Berlin etc.
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Autograph "Bonne Année" card. Paris, January 1946. Discussing the difficult conditions there but remarking how happy she is to have returned to her home after such a long absence of "such terrible times."
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ALS, 2 pp. Paris, 27 January, 1947. Regarding the recent death of her closest friend, a dancer from the Opera who she met with each Sunday, her deep mourning etc.
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ALS. 2 pp. Paris, 2 April, 1947. Thanking her for the delicious tea, coffee, marmalade etc., continuing the discussion of her recently deceased friend.
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ALS. 4 pp. Paris, 2 April, 1948. Discussing her apartment, the settlement of her friend's estate, her teaching at home of some students preparing to enter the Corps de ballet at the Opera, her recently having been asked to discuss the "époque 1900" on the radio: "what a beautiful time, beautiful epoch! Everything was easy, what tranquility there was, what good spirit, one had everything in profusion, and at hand, and at desire!!...I didn't do too badly in that scene, but I did end up rather hoarse!" (6292)

Signed Photograph Dance