Guillaume APOLLINAIRE. autograph manuscript of a speech, [De - Lot 14

Guillaume APOLLINAIRE. autograph manuscript of a speech, [December 1916]; 1 page in-4 (25.5 x 17 cm) in green ink on the back of a mimeographed press release). Draft of the speech delivered at the banquet given by his friends in his honor, on December 31, 1916, at the Palais d'Orléans. "My dear friends, let me first thank the organizers of this little party. You Juan Gris, who came up with the idea. You, the painters Matisse Picasso Braque, who, supporting it with the brilliance of your name, have given me a mark of esteem that I shall not forget, you Reverdy Max Jacob you courageous Cendrars and my comrades whose friendship is thus marked by a touching testimony, and you above all Paul Dermée who organized everything. I would also like to thank all those who accepted to be part of the Honorary Committee, and who wanted to honor both the soldier and the poet. Illustrious names adorn this garland, which is not lacking in the precious gems of feminine grace. Thank you all, my dear friends, for coming in such large numbers. For this is the unexpected. Relying on the ancient testimony of Socrates who wished to have enough friends to fill his little house, the organizers of this intimate lunch had thought that just enough people would come to fill the little kitty I've built on my roof. You see, you had to gather at the Palais d'Orléans. Many of my dearest friends are still missing, many have not been reached by mail, many are at the front, others like André Dupont died on the field of honor, and I can feel them among us, in our hearts. Attached is the rare printed Menu of the Déjeuner Guillaume Apollinaire, December 3, 1916, which includes a number of dishes: Cubist, Orphist and Futurist hors d'oeuvres, etc.; Capon Arétin à l'Hérésiarque; Méditations esthétiques en salade; Vin rouge de la Case d'Armons; etc.