Emile ZOLA (1840-1902)

Autograph Letter Signed (“Emile Zola”) to “Monsieur et cher confrère” regarding the German translation of Germinal.
1¼ pages 8vo in French, Mont-Dore, 26 August 1884.                                  

Trans: “You are too late, I have agreed for “Germinal” with my translator who lives in Vienna, M. Ernst Ziegler (II Castellez-gasse 18). He himself put the translation of the novel in several newspapers. I doubt that, under the circumstances, you would wish to publish this translation. I will nevertheless let him know of your request, and if it came up, you could discuss the matter between yourselves.
No recommendation was necessary. I remember your wonderful articles perfectly, and I would have been very happy to enter into business with you. . .”
Germinal, part of Zola’s Rougon-Macquart series, was first serialized in 1884-85. A powerful study of the hardship of miners’ lives in northern France, and the violent strike resulting from these conditions, it had a strong sense of authenticity and was partly based on Zola’s own observations of a miner’s strike which had taken place earlier in 1884. Germinal was soon adapted for the theatre, but its first performance in 1885 was banned, causing Zola to protest forcefully against government censorship.
The letter is written from the spa town of Mont Dore where he and his wife spent a month for Madame Zola’s health.
Split at the bottom of the vertical fold and remains of three small tape marks from mounting on the last leaf, none of this affecting the text.

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