BECKETT, SAMUEL. (1906-1989). Irish avant-garde poet and playwright, regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential writers; winner of the 1969 Nobel Prize for literature. ALS. (“Sam Beckett”). 1p. Oblong 12mo. (Paris, May 3, 1967). To his friend, French writer, poet and painter JEAN DEMELIER (b. 1940). In French with translation.

“...Here it is:

Saw Chabert yesterday.
I am waiting for you.
Thank you for the poem.
Saw the buyers [?].
I have a very tight [?] week.
And leaving for Berlin there everything gets staged [?]
Will be … on the 3rd between 11 and noon: [telephone number:] KEL 83.11...”

Associated with modernism, postmodernism and the Theatre of the Absurd, Beckett is best-known for his bleak, minimalist drama Waiting for Godot. Although he lived in Dublin and London, most of Beckett’s life was spent in Paris, where he fought with the French Resistance during World War II. Wary of fame, Beckett eschewed celebrity seekers, but later in life became available to scholars and other admirers whom he would meet in the lobby of the Hotel PLM St. Jacques near his home in Montparnasse.

Demelier contacted Beckett through his publishing house after reading his play Endgame and the two began a correspondence that developed into a friendship, with Beckett acting as the younger author’s mentor and patron. Demelier’s first novel, The Dream of Job, was published in 1971, followed by The Smile of Jonas and The Mirror of Janus, as well as radio plays, essays, and books featuring his art.

Beckett cast French actor and director Pierre Chabert (1938-2010) in many of his plays including La Dernière Bande (Krapp’s Last Tape).

Accompanied by the original envelope addressed in Beckett’s hand. Near fine.