ALS signed “Dreyfus,” one page, 3.75 x 2.25, no date. Letter written on his personal calling card to the widow of Emile Zola on the anniversary of the publication of “J’Accuse.” In full: “The date of the 13 January can not pass through without sending you my tribute and profound gratitude for the courage which was shown by our dear deceased [Zola], on this date launching his eternal ‘J’Accuse.’”
Discovering the murky circumstances of the Dreyfus Affair—the recklessness of the French government in pursuing a speedy conviction, the sloppy procedure of the court-martial—author Emile Zola wrote his famous open letter, “J’Accuse!,” laying bare the entire disgraceful affair. “J'accuse” ("I accuse") was published on January 13, 1898, in the newspaper L'Aurore . The letter was addressed to President of France Félix Faure, and accused the government of anti-Semitism and the unlawful jailing of Dreyfus. Zola was convicted of libel and fled to England, though he returned to France in time to witness the fall of the government and Dreyfus’ release following an overturned second conviction. In fine condition, with some light toning along bottom edge, and a pencil date notation of “1905” to top right. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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