É. ZOLA, AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, 30 DECEMBER 1891

explaining that he has been unwell and that he has put off serious matters until his return to Paris on Monday, noting that the sum of 1500 francs for a single chapter of Les trois guerres was acceptable to him, especially since the chapters were no more than four to five hundred lines long, but stressing that he would prefer M. Grove to publish his piece complete with its three chapters, for which he would accept 2000 francs, observing that he fears that a chapter on its own might not be understood, and asking for a definitive reply concerning La Débâcle  ...Mais je désirerais beaucoup que M. Grove publiât l'étude toute entière les trois chapitres, que je lui laisserais pour 2000 fr. L'intérêt est dans le morceau complet, et je crains qu'un chapitre séparé ne soit pas très compréhensible...   2 pages, 8vo (207 x 132mm.), Médan, 30 December 1891, vertical and horizontal folds, some dust-staining

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les trois guerres is a short piece by Zola with separate chapters on the Crimean War, the Second War of Italian Independence and the Franco-Prussian War. First published in Russian in 1877, it only appeared under its eventual title in 1892, when it was published in the collection Bagatelles, with contributions by various writers. The second work referred to in the letter, La Débâcle, published the following year, is the penultimate novel of the famous Les Rougon-Macquart series. Also dealing with the Franco-Prussian War, it was the best-selling of all Zola's novels during the writer's lifetime.