ALS in French, one page both sides, 5.25 x 8, Librairie de L. Hachette letterhead, June 6, 1864. In full (translated): "There is no good news for you at all, unfortunately. I saw Mr. E. Duchanal who received the letter and book you sent. He would have liked to review your work, but he is so heavily burdened at this time with all the statements to be fitted in and the space the debates leave him is so limited, that he doesn't feel able to promise you anything. Our advice, therefore, is to look for another editor for the journal in question. I gave a copy to M. Joanne. [But] he will forget altogether to review it if you don't push him a little. That's all the news I have. The little circular letter continues to pop up in the provinces, but I haven't seen the original article anymore, followed by any editor." In fine condition. Before his breakthrough as a writer, Zola worked for minimal pay as a clerk in a shipping firm and then in the sales department for the publisher Louis Hachette. A particularly early letter from the famed Naturalist.

Format: ALS