Lacombe, Francis

Autograph letter signed, one page - folded double-page, 5,25 x 8 inch, Paris, 22.07.1858, in French, to Poulet-Malassis & de Broise (Alencon) - concerning the printing of his book `La France et l`Allemagne sous le premier Empire - Napoleon et le baron de Stein`, written and signed in black ink "Francis Lacombe" - additionally addressed and postmarked on the reverse of the second page, with mild signs of wear - in fine to very fine condition.

"Cher Monsieur,
Jai ete bien etonne de ne recevoir ce matin qu`une feuille, parce que tout le reste du manuscrit est compose et que je n`en avais point recu depuis la semaine derniere. Je vous en supplie encore une fois, evitons tout retard. Je suis oblige de partir, comme vous le savez, et je voudrais soigner l`apparition du volume avant mon depart.
Vous trouverez, entre les pages 180 et 181 de l`epreuve que je vous renvoie, une note que je vous prie de faire composer; elle sera mise au bas de la page (de l`introduction) relative a la paix de Villafranca et je la motiverai. C`est necessaire pour reparer un oubli et completer autant que possible mon sujet. Faites-en un placard special.
Comme vous seriez gentil, si vous me faisiez parvenir les placards de l`introduction, lundi ou mardi ! Tout irait pour le mieux.
M. de Saint-Albin est tres sensible a votre bon souvenir.
A vous,
   Francis Lacombe
PS : Amyot me charge de vous dire qu`il mettra une affiche sur sa devanture pour mon livre, si vous la lui envoyez ; il ne l`a fait pour personne jusqu`a present."

Translated:
"Dear Sir,
I was very surprised to receive this morning only a sheet, because the rest of the manuscript is made and that I had not received since last week. I beg you once again, avoid any delay. I have to go, as you know, and I would like to treat the appearance of the volume before I left.
You will find, between pages 180 and 181 of the printer’s proof I`ll return you a note I beg you to compose; it will be at the bottom of the page (from the introduction) about the peace of Villafranca and I will five the reasons. It is necessary to repair an oversight and complete as much as possible my subject of study. Make a special page for it...
As you would be nice if you could send me the pages of the introduction, Monday or Tuesday ! Everything would be better. M. de Saint-Albin is very sensitive to your good memory.
To you,
Francis Lacombe"
PS: "Amyot asks me to tell you that he will put a poster on its frontage for my book, if you send it to her; he has done for anyone until now."

Published in 1859, the book of Lacombe will be destructed because of some critical passages towards Napoleon 1er. According to La Sicotiere, part of the edition could have been passed in Belgium through changing the title and name of the author (`Les Campagnes d`Italie`, from Schœnhals and Gautier fils)... It was reprinted in Brussels by the Belgian counterfeiters Meline & Cans in 1860.