[DREYFUS AFFAIR]: HENRY HUBERT-JOSEPH (1846-1898) French Lieutenant-Colonel involved in the Dreyfus Affair. Henry was arrested for having forged evidence against Dreyfus and was subsequently found dead in his prison cell. A rare A.L.S., Ht. J Henry, four pages, small 8vo, Bourbonne, 8^th August 1888, to 'Mon cher ami', in French. Henry states that he was very busy before his departure, and was sorry not to have seen his friend, and continues 'Je vous ai dit je crois que j'avais envoye divers documents a M. Gentili di Giuseppe - mais je n'ai pu le voir et sa carte est venue me retrouver ici.  je vous serai oblige de le voir et de le presenter a M. Duval avec qui il doit entrer directement en relations - pour voir les dessins et les modeles. J'ai ecrit a M. Duval d'ici pour le prier de faire preparer une nouvelle notice destinee a remplacer celle qui est epuisee. Elle devra etre imprimee et je voudrais l'examiner a mon retour avant le tirage. Il conviendra d'introduire dans cette notice un type de part et viaduc pour tramway et chemins de fer a voie de 1me pour machines depuis 12 tonnes jus qu'a 30 tonnes - le moment n'est pas eloigne ou les parts demontables seront tres demandes en Algerie et dans les pays de colonisation. Il faut se hater de les faire connaitre si on ne veut pas voir nos inventions exploites par les autres qui semblent deployer dans cette voie nouvelle une activite fructueuse......cette publicite est opportune et indispensable'

(Translation: 'I told you I believe I had sent various documents to Mr. Gentili di Giuseppe - but I could not see him and his card came to find me here. I will be obliged to you to see it and to present it to Mr. Duval with whom it must enter directly into relations - to see the drawings and the models. I have written to Mr. Duval from here to ask him to have a new notice prepared to replace the one which is out of print. It will have to be printed and I would like to examine it on my return before printing. It will be advisable to introduce in this notice a type of share and viaduct for tram and railroads with 1^st track for machines from 12 tons up to 30 tons - the moment is not far when removable parts will be in great demand in Algeria and in colonizing countries. We must hasten to make them know if we do not want to see our inventions exploited by others who seem to be deploying a fruitful activity in this new direction…..this publicity is timely and essential'). Henry also asks if his correspondent has received General Annenkov, further remarking 'Je n'ai aucune nouvelle de ce qui s'est passe a la seance de vendredi dernier a la societe des Ingenieurs Civils. Avez-vous eu des renseignements .......je ne serais pas etonne qu'Eiffel ait intrigue pour empecher l´inspection de ma lettre' (Translation: 'I have no news of what happened at last Friday's session at the Society of Civil Engineers. Have you had any information…..I would not be surprised if Eiffel intrigues to prevent the inspection of my letter'). Some very light age wear, minor toning and a small rust stain to the head of the first page, otherwise VG

 

Mikhail Annenkov (1835-1899) Russian nobleman and General, a renowned engineer who built the strategic Transcaspian Railway and was also involved in the planning of the Trans-Siberian railroad.

 

Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) French civil engineer who made his name with various bridges for the French railway network and is best known for the world-famous Eiffel Tower.