PROUST MARCEL: (1871-1922) French Novelist. A.L.S., Marcel Proust, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (1917?), to 'Princesse' (Helene Soutzo?), in French. Proust informs his correspondent that he will not be able to come on Saturday, although will do his best, and can only write a short letter as Antoinette is waiting for him. He further writes 'I entrust you with giving my kind regards to Morand. Naturally don't'. Slightly irregularly torn at the left edge (evidently caused by the removal of the integral leaf) and with a minor paperclip rust stain to the upper left corner. Some extremely minor, light age toning to the edges, evidently caused by previous framing. None of the very minor faults affect the text or signature, about VG £2000-3000.

Proust's correspondent is most likely Princess Helene Soutzo, the daughter of a prominent Greek merchant banker.

Proust regularly dined with the Princess and French author Paul Morand (1888-1976) at the Hotel Ritz in Paris in the spring of 1917. Morand and his confidante, the Princess, conducted a lengthy affair before she divorced her husband in 1924 and married the author three years later. According to Morand, Proust became somewhat infatuated with the Princess following their first meeting, commenting "There's always something magical about her". €2600 - 3900