Émile Zola – Three Letters from His Time of Hiding in London during the Dreyfus Affair – Signed by Three Pseudonyms

Émile Zola – Three Letters from His Time of Hiding in London during the Dreyfus Affair – Signed by Three Pseudonyms
Three letters handwritten by the writer Émile Zola, sent after he was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and fled to England. Signed by the pseudonyms "Pascal", "J. Beauchamp" and "Z". London, 1898. French.
The French writer and publicist Émile Zola (1840-1902) was one of the major supporters of Alfred Dreyfus when he was indicted in 1895 of high treason and spying for Germany. In 1897, Zola published a series of articles defending Dreyfus and in January 1898, published in the newspaper "L'Aurore" the article "J'Accuse…!" – an open letter to the French president in which he accused military leaders, the War Office and the military court of miscarriage of justice. The publication of the letter caused a stir in France, and having been brought to trial for libel and sentenced to a year in prison, Zola fled to England.
On July 19, 1898, with nothing but a note with the name of The Grosvenor Hotel, Zola descended the train at Victoria Station in London. Zola's time in England was one of the darkest in his life and during this period, he communicated with a small handful of friends only, by means of notes and short letters. Fearing the French police will track him down, these letters were economical and laconic in style. He almost never mentioned his acquaintances by their name and signed by various pseudonyms. Only in June 1899, after the French Supreme Court declared that Dreyfus would be retried, did Zola return to his country.
Offered here are three letters that Zola had written in London:
1. A Letter from July 20, 1898 (a day after Zola arrived in England), written on The Grosvenor Hotel stationery, being an attempt to set up a meeting at the hotel. At the end of the letter, Zola writes: "Ask for Mr. Pascal". (The name Pascal, a homage to the hero of the novel Zola had published in 1893 – Le Docteur Pascal, was used in only a few letters and was changed due to the possibility that it might raise the suspicion of French-speakers).
[1] leaf (one written page).
2. A letter from August 4, 1898. Presumably sent to Ernest Alfred Vizetelly (an English writer and journalist who translated Zola's works into English). In the letter, Zola informs the recipient that his new bicycle does not fit his size: "the bicycle Mr. Wareham rented for me does not fit. The handlebars are not high enough and when I want to turn around, they hit my knees…". Signed: "J. Beauchamp" (This name was used by Zola during his stay in the Oatlands Park Hotel on the outskirts of London; Zola rode a bicycle for the first time in 1893 and immediately fell in love with the new vehicle. In order to cheer him up in his difficult situation, his friends in London, Ernest Vizetelly and his wife Maria, decided to find him a new bicycle).
[1] folded leaf (two written pages).
3. An undated letter, announcing the arrival of Zola's wife to England: "I received a letter from my wife confirming her arrival tomorrow night, Tuesday. Fasquelle is supposed to inform you, but since she fears he might forget, I ask you this favor. Even if you do not receive any notice, go to Victoria Station and wait for the five o'clock train. If you find no one, send me a note […] I will be desperate if my wife arrives without finding you". Signed: "Z".
[1] leaf (two written pages).
Three letters. Approx. 18 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. An open tear to top of first letter (small; not affecting text).