Launch of Appeal by French National Library for Manuscripts Relating to Marcel Proust's 'Madeleine' Dessert Memories
The French National Library has launched a public appeal for donations, aiming to raise 7.7 million euros ($9.1 million) by the end of the year. The reason behind this ambitious fundraising goal? A new collection of unpublished documents belonging to Marcel Proust.
This discovery is considered a significant event for France, as it promises to shed light on the creative process of one of the country's most celebrated authors. Proust, who passed away at the age of 51, is best known for his seven-volume epic "In Search of Lost Time".
The appeal includes hundreds of documents, some of which are currently on display by the auction house Sotheby's. These manuscripts reveal how Proust developed a famous line in his masterpiece, which he started working on in 1909. The line, about the taste of a madeleine cake triggering a flood of childhood memories, has become shorthand for the effect of thinking about fond moments from the past.
The best-known line from Proust's work, contained in "Swann's Way", is one of the best-known of modern French literature. In 2018, a copy of "Swann's Way" dedicated to Proust's lover sold for 1.51 million euros ($1.7 million) at Sotheby's, setting a world record for a French book according to the auction house.
The National Library of France (BnF) aims to complete its Proustian archive with the new pieces, making it the most important in the world. By acquiring these documents, the BnF hopes to provide researchers and the general public with a deeper understanding of Proust's creative process and the development of his groundbreaking work.
The documents from 1907 to 1909 show how Proust cycled through several different foodstuffs, including a piece of stale bread, toasted bread, a biscotte (hard biscuit), and finally a madeleine, before settling on the iconic cake.
The identity of the persons who will bring the unpublished documents of Marcel Proust to auction remains unknown at this time. However, it is known that the documents are set to be sold by Proust's descendants.
The acquisition of these documents would not only be a significant addition to the BnF's collection but also a testament to the enduring legacy of Marcel Proust's work. For those who wish to support this important endeavour, donations can be made through the French National Library's official website.
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