PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement & ROQUE JACQUELINE: (1926-1986) French model, muse and the second wife of Pablo Picasso from 1961. A wonderful and highly unusual joint A.L.S. Picasso and Jacqueline, one page, 4to, n.p., 2nd January 1962, to Max Pellequer, in French. Roque commences the missive, explaining that she had only seen Pellequer´s letter a day earlier, remarking ´Pablo l´ayant mise avec la sienne - soigneusement de côté!´ (Translation: ´Pablo had put it with his own – carefully aside!´) and further writing ´Il est difficile de vous présenter des voeux puisque l´absence de Francine sera toujours un obstacle à votre bonheur. Je vous souhaite donc une bonne santé et vous embrasse de tout mon coeur´ (Translation: ´It is difficult to offer you my best wishes, as Francine's absence will always be an obstacle to your happiness. I therefore wish you good health and send you my warmest regards´). At the foot of the stationery Picasso adds his own brief message, ´Moi aussi vous dis la même chose et vous embrasserez´ (Translation: ´I say the same to you and send you my love´). In a deliberate act Jacqueline has avoided writing across the centre of the stationery, the oval space revealing an attractive watermark designed by Picasso and depicting the head of a woman in profile, facing towards the left. A visually attractive letter, both thoughtful in composition and content. A few minor, light creases to the edges, and a couple of small, neat splits at the edges of folds, otherwise VG

Max Pellequer (1903-1973) French banker and art collector who would become Picasso´s private banker, financial adviser and close friend. Pellequer assembled an important collection of artworks in the 1920s and 1930s which included a number of significant early pieces by Picasso, as well as works by Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Joan Miro and others. Almost two hundred letters from Pellequer to Picasso are preserved in the Musee National Picasso in Paris.

In 1920 Pellequer married Francine Level (1897-1984), the niece of the dealer and businessman André Level. Pellequer and his brother Raoul were key investors in André Level’s Galerie Percier, established in 1922.