CP 03822/en
Marcel Proust to Antoine Bibesco [end of June or beginning of July 1919]
(Click on the link above to see this letter and its notes in the Corr-Proust digital edition, including all relevant hyperlinks.)
My dear Antoine
Forgive me for my silence. Since I have moved[2], some unceasing attacks have put me into such a state of depression that I am not even able to sign a copy of my books[3]. To add insult to injury, having a few copies sent by the NRF, I took a pile in order to dedicate some of them. But as soon as I had signed three, I realized that the others were third editions [4]. I will have inquiries made at the booksellers to get some first editions, and I’ll send you right away one of each of my books. If you see people[5] to whom I should’ve sent my books and who have not received them (and will surely receive them one day, as soon as I have these first editions) pray forgive me. As, for example Chaumeix, the Countess of Noailles, the Princess of Chimay, the Princess of Polignac, the Countess Greffulhe, Barrès etc., Léon Blum above all. (Do you think that I can send (I have some) second and third editions?)[6].
Place at the feet of the Princess[7] my tributes of greatest respectful admirations.
Yours
Marcel Proust