French army officer and composer (1760–1836) who wrote the words and music to the French national anthem, La Marseillaise. ALS in French, signed “Rouget de Lisle,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 9.25, Paris, January 16, 1827, with integral, postmarked address leaf. Untranslated letter in French to a publisher about the fate of 25 copies of an unnamed work, with complaints about Rouget's hard life, financial disasters and personal problems. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, light overall toning and some wrinkling, a ding to the left side, and slight paper loss to second integral page where a seal was affixed. RRAuction COA.
