[ Fernand Gampert, Swiss artist, friend of Christian Dior. ] Autograph Letter Signed, in French, to Captain C. W. Townsend, with reference to the painter Lucien Monod.

Author: 
Fernand Gampert (1898-1989), Swiss artist, friend of Christian Dior; his sister Edith Gampert [ later Edith Arnaud ] (1897-1987) [ Captain Cecil William Townsend ]
Publication details: 
9 Rue Bellot, Geneva [ Switzerland ]. 16 November [ no year, but dating from the First World War ].
£75.00
SKU: 20366

8pp., 12mo. On two bifololiums with mourning borders. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Addressed to 'monsieur Townsend'. From the papers of Captain Cecil William Townsend of the Warwickshire Yeomanry, Dunsterforce and Norperforce, and the British Military Mission to South Russia. Gampert is still at college as he writes, and the reference to the 'boches' dates the letter to the First World War. Gampert begins by explaining the reason for the delay in writing, with reference to 'Mlle Trithen'. He asks him his news, adding 'En tous cas comme je vous connais, je ne doute pas un instant que vous servez votre patrie contres ces affreux “boches” […] j'ai une haine profonde contre les Allemands et je suis Français, Russe, Anglais, Belge, Serbe à fond pour mes sympathies et je vous assure que souvent je souffle d'être neutre'. His father is serving France as 'médecin chef d'une ambulance a Aix-les-Bains (Savoie)'. He describes time spent with his father and his ambulance, and other activities during his holidays. He thinks of Townsend often, 'en me souvenant du temps où Vadime était là; je me rapelle avec joie des journées de bonheur que j'ai passé à Montchaisy et que je n'oublierai jamais de ma vie'. He ends with reference to 'Monsieur Lucien Monod' [symbolist painter (1867-1957)], from whom he has received a letter. The lower half of the last page carries an affectionate nine-line note from 'Edith Gampert', informing him that she receives 'quelque fois mais très rarement des nouvelles de Liouba. Je suis sûr que Vadime, Sous, et Bill doivent vous manquer.' Vadime and Bill were Russian friends and correspondents of Townsend.