[PAPILLON] : CHARRIÈRE HENRI (1906-1973) French author of Papillon, a successful memoir of his incarceration and escape from a penal colony in French Guiana. Charrière was convicted as a murderer by the French courts. A.L.S., Papillon, one page, 4to, Fuengirola, 6th July 1972, to Hans Blickendörfer, in French. Charrière states ´I have safely received your letter. I send you the preface signed. I don´t see what could be better.....I am sorry that you couldn´t contact me before. ..´. Further stating ´I wish you a good success for your book... Write to me to tell me that you have received the preface..´. Together with the original typed manuscript of the preface referred to by Papillon (although unsigned), one page, 4to, Caracas, 5th June 1972, in French. Titled Préface de Papillon pour le ´Béret Basque´, Papillon writes ´Many people believe, on Sunday attending the mass, that they are all brothers. But considering their behaviour out of church it must be a soft faith. I do believe that men behind walls, where instead of coloured windows there are iron bars, they do feel much more like brothers. And I do know what I am talking about. I know the pure and sincere friendship born there, where you have lost the right to be treated as a human being.....´. Charrière also refers to similar experiences lived by him and by the German author and continues saying ´...All those who have fought desperately for their freedom......It is the same fear and the same courage which make them react and fight. And often, it is only desperation which gives birth to a courage to face the risk, which seen with reason, seems senseless.´ Papillon recommends the lecture of The Berret Basque and concludes his preface remarking ´I write this preface surrounded by the high hills of Caracas, thousands of kilometres away from the little hill called Montmartre which has become my destiny´. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Papillon and bearing his signature (´Henri Charriere´) to the return address on the verso. Some light overall creasing to the letter and with a large water stain at the centre affecting some words of text but not the signature. The typed manuscript unaffected. G, 2. €125-150||Hans Blickendörfer (1923-1997) German Journalist and Writer. His book ´Die Baskenmütze´, which is the traditional hat used by Basque people and representing still today the symbol of their independence fight, was finally published the year after this letter in 1973. ||