Autograph letter signed, two pages (on two conjoined sheets), 4,5 x 7 inch, Paris - Hotel de Russie 1 rue Douot [Pissarro painted views of the Grands Boulevards from his hotel room], 15.02.1897, in French, to his wife Julie Pissarro - concerning family matters and his birth certificate, written and signed in black ink "C. Pissaro", with mild toning - in fine to very fine condition.
In parts:
" Ma chère femme
Je crois qu`il n’y a rien à faire pour les souliers, tu sais bien que Georges n`aurait pas du accepté le colis, comme il l’avait fait pour les toiles crevées, l`ayant accepté, il ne peut plus rien prouvé. il savait - ou devait savoir qu`on envoyait deux paires de souliers. La réclamation de Gisors passera par les mains de Villaume, mais je crois bien que c`est inutile, nous ne sommes pas en règle contre la compagnie; pour écrire a Villaume il faudrait avoir le No du colis si Rodolphe l`a qu`il écrire très simplement sa réclamation. [...] Dis a Rodolphe de bien choisir mon acte de naissance, car tu sais que j`ai du le faire rectifier [...] c`est celui où il y a mon nom bien ecrit - ainsi que celui de mon père. Il les trouvera dans mon tiroir de l’atelier ou dans le meuble de l’ancien atelier. Il faudra que nous ayons une caisse en fer blanc pour enfermer tous nos papiers importants. Je buche régulièrement, je vous embrasse tous - ton mari aff. - C. Pissaro"
Translation:
"My dear wife
I don't think there's anything to be done for the shoes, you know very well that Georges shouldn't have accepted the parcel, as he had done for the punctured canvases, having accepted it, he can no longer prove anything. He knew - or must have known that we were sending two pairs of shoes. Gisors' claim will go through the hands of Villaume, but I believe it is useless, we are not in good standing against the company; To write to Villaume, you need to have the parcel number if Rodolphe has it, he can write his complaint very simply. [...] Tell Rodolphe to choose my birth certificate carefully, because you know that I had to have it corrected [...] it is the one where my name is clearly written - as well as that of my father. He will find them in my workshop drawer or in the cabinet of the old workshop. We will have to have a tin box to lock up all our important papers. I drink regularly, I kiss you all - your husband aff. - C. Pissaro."
