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Sale 58
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Lot 96
Dreyfus, Alfred (1859-1935) Jewish French army officer, wrongfully convicted of treason in 1894. The Dreyfus Affair became a cause célèbre when, on January 13, 1898, French author Émile Zola published an open letter titled "J'accuse!" ["I accuse!"] to French President Félix Faure on the front page of the newspaper "L'Aurore," giving the actual facts of the case and charging a cover-up at the highest levels. The article, considered by many the greatest newspaper article ever published, electrified France and brought the attention of the world to the case, exposing the antisemitism and militarism which had perverted justice. Zola was himself tried and conviced of criminal libel (he escaped to England), but the letter was the impetus for Dreyfus' exoneration and reinstatement in the military in 1906.
Autograph Letter Signed "A Dreyfus," one page with integral leaf, in French, 6 x 4½ in., 101 Bd. Malesherbes (Paris, 1908). Written on stationery with a black mourning border to Émile Zola's widow. Dreyfus regrets that Mme. Zola is unable to join them for lunch on Wednesday and says that she forgot to answer two questions from his last letter: from what time could one go to the Pantheon Wednesday evening, and would flowers be accepted at the Pantheon?
On June 4, 1908, Zola's remains were transferred to the Pantheon, where many of France's greatest citizens are interred. Dreyfus, of course, attended the ceremony for the man responsible for bringing his case to international attention and leading to his exoneration and reinstatement in the army. A right-wing journalist named Gregori tried to assassinate Dreyfus during the proceedings, but only managed to wound him in the arm. Reflecting the antisemitism which had caused Dreyfus' wrongful conviction for treason in 1894, Gregori was tried and acquitted. Zola had died in 1902 from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a blocked bedroom chimney, probably by a member of a right-wing group that was angry at Zola's part in freeing Dreyfus.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
Obtained directly from Zola's family.
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