[SIGNED AUTOGRAPH LETTER - LITERATURE
FRENCH 19th/20th century - MAN OF THEATER]
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On white paper
on the letterhead of the Théatre du Peuple, Bussang-Vosges, illustrated with a small composition showing a
women standing against a background of fir trees, in the "art-nouveau" style
(A.Klein, engraver in Epinal)
"My dear colleague, I would be happy to know the name of your collaborator who signed GB
an article on the representation of Freedom, at the Théâtre du Peuple, this to thank him and send him copies of the two plays; If I didn't do it sooner, it's because after these performances, I was on the side,
and incapable of any effort; tell him...I'll send you too the "Sotie" and "Freedom"..."
A extremely rare signed letter dating from the beginnings of the Théatre du Peuple...
beautiful object
Maurice POTTECHER
1867-1960
Maurice Pottecher man of the theater, writer and poet Maurice Pottecher is a French man of the theater, writer and poet,
born October 19, 1867 in Bussang (Vosges) and died April 16, 1960 in Fontenay-sous-Bois. He also wrote certain works under the pseudonym Martin Petitclerc.Biography
Marie Benjamin Xavier "Maurice" Pottecher is the second son of a family of industrialists
operating a curry and cutlery factory, a prosperous activity but which did not suit the JEUNE man.
He then wrote for the theater, employing as actors the workers of the factory then
directede by his brother. It is the creation of an amateur theater, intended for the local public.
Writer and poet, he wrote plays of a social nature for the Théâtre du Peuple which he founded in Bussang
in 1895 and which still exists. Nicknamed “the Padre” (nickname given to him by Pierre Richard-Willm),
he is buried alongside his partner in the Theater park.
Officer of the Legion of Honor (decree of January 21, 1936).
His badges were given to him by Georges Duhamel, of the French Academy. He is the paternal uncle of Frédéric Pottecher, journalist and legal columnist.
works
Morteville, drama in three acts, L. Geisler, 1897 The Devil Merchant of Gout, popular play in three acts, L. Geisler, 1897 Liberté, drama in 3 parts, followed by Pentecost Monday, L. Geisler, 1898 Everyone is looking his treasure, story of sorcerers in 3 acts, Paul Ollendorff, 1899 C'est le vent!, village comedy in 3 acts, Paul Ollendorff, 1901 The Passion of Joan of Arc, drama in 5 acts, Literary and Publishing Company artistic, 1904 The Violating Queen, tragedy in 3 acts, P.-V. Stock, 1906 Molière and his wife, comedy in one act, in verse, PV Stock, 1909 Words of a father, Librairie des Annales, 1910 The Mystery of Judas Iscariot, in IV acts and a prologue, PV Stock, 1911 Le Théâtre of the people of Bussang (Vosges), their origin, their development
and its goal presented by its founder, P.-V. Stock, 1913 The Ring of Sakountala, dramatic legend in 7 acts after Kalidasa, Paul Ollendorff, 1914 Jean de Calais, legendary play in XII scenes, Librairie Théâtrale, 1920 The Emperor of the Setting Sun, legendary play in 8 scenes, Librairie Théâtrale, 1920 Achille Placidat, the man with the magic glasses, A. Michel, 1925 Le Valet noir, legendary play in 5 acts and 7 scenes, Librairie théâtre, 1927 Jules Ferry, sous la Troisième, Gallimard, NRF, 1931 Le Bourdon de Herlisheim, dramatic legend in 5 acts, Librairie théâtre, 1934
A fabulous Theater!!
The People's Theater
Inauguration1895
Ability900 places
historic monument Classified MH (1976, 2015)
Vosges
The Théâtre du Peuple, located in Bussang in the Vosges, was created in 1895 by Maurice Pottecher.
The theater has been classified as a historic monument since August 2, 1976 (extended in 2015).
It is still active and offers several new creations each season.
Performances take place between May and December, with a majority of shows
hasapplicable for spring/summer programming in July and August.
History
In 1895, Maurice Pottecher created an outdoor scene on the mountainside.
The spectators were standing in the meadow. The following year, the stage (14 meters opening,
10 meters deep and 10 meters high) is covered, then Maurice Pottecher opens the backdrop to nature thanks to two large sliding doors in order to “sanitize the art in contact with the
nature ". Wooden benches were built to accommodate 2,000 spectators. Electricity was installed in 1904, then in 1921 a room closed on the sides was built for spectators capable of holding a little more than
1,000 places; the public was finally sheltered by a roof in 1924.
Dressing rooms were installed in 1945, sewing workshops in 1950, and the set construction workshop in 1986.
In 1994, the original entrance to the theater was rebuilt.
This place was managed during the 1950s (from 1936) by Pierre Richard-Willm,
renowned film actor, but also a complete artist: pianist, decorator and theater director, a play of which was performed each year at the Théâtre du Peuple, notably the last play by Maurice Pottecher, The Emperor of the Setting Sun. The professional actors who came to play in Bussang were not paid, but lived in community during the month of rehearsal and the month of performance, all meals being taken together, with Pierre Richard-Willm himself; the atmosphere there was quite friendly and even fraternal.
In 1976, Maurice Pottecher's grandson, Pierre Chan, took over.
He entrusted the theater to the People's Theater Association, of which he remained president until his death in 2004.
In 2015, the People's Theater celebrates its 120th anniversary
Description
The People's Theater is a building built entirely of wood that can accommodate up to 900 people.
The vault forms a real upturned ship. The backdrop opens onto the Vosges forest.
This atmosphere gives a certain conviviality to the theater where we meet a diverse audience.
On the other hand, during nighttime performances, the temperature can drop particularly low: it is not uncommon to come across regulars equipped with sleeping bags. For this reason, the theater traditionally did not offer performances in winter. This constraint of cold was used for the first time in January 2007, where spectators, invited to come warmly dressed, were offered a piece with an icy atmosphere.
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1 sheet of illustrated white paper, folded in the center forming 4pp.,
3 handwritten pages
(folded: about 13.5x10.5cm)
Dated September 2, 1898
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[From Georges or Louis Boulay]
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Good condition
Superb document!
see visuals...
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As always, combined shipping costs in case of multiple purchases...
