Collection Jean Lartéguy - Après la succession de madame L. - PARTIE I : Livres

Auction of the Jean Lartéguy Collection—From the Estate of Madame L

11:00 a.m.

PART 1: Books

2:00 p.m.

PART 2: Works of Art

Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Hôtel Drouot, Room 4

Exhibition:

Monday, November 2, 2026, between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Carefully preserved by his wife since his passing in 2011 at the Hôtel des Invalides, Jean Lartéguy’s collection includes numerous books as well as the interior of his apartment on the Champs de Mars, right at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

A writer, journalist, and international correspondent, Jean Lartéguy was one of the foremost witnesses to the conflicts and upheavals of the 20th century. A former member of the Resistance, an officer, and later a journalist and war correspondent, he traveled the world, from Indochina to Algeria, from the Middle East to Asia. Author of the famous novel *Les Centurions*, he enjoyed immense literary success, drawing inspiration from his experiences and encounters. A passionate observer of people and civilizations.

The library collection offers, first and foremost, a historical journey through first editions of 19th- and 20th-century literature. Ranging from Chateaubriand to Cocteau, from Flaubert to Apollinaire, Céline, Colette, Breton, Saint-Exupéry, and Proust…

The second part of the sale will feature an eclectic collection of art objects, furniture, and souvenirs brought back or gathered during his travels. Asia plays a major role in this collection, with works from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and other regions of the Far East.

Notable pieces include a Japanese folding screen from the Edo period with a gold background; Buddhist sculptures, Japanese prints, Chinese paintings, ritual objects, and curiosities come together to form a collection that reflects his taste for distant civilizations. The furniture and decorative objects, meanwhile, reveal the unique atmosphere of his interior, where Oriental antiques coexisted with 20th-century design. Designs by Gino Sarfatti, furniture from Maison Jansen, and various pieces of silverware illustrate the eclecticism of a very “70s” Parisian decor. On a more personal note, the decorations, photographs, medals, and personal mementos evoke the many facets of his life. A silver cup by Puiforcat, a gift from President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, serves as a reminder of the many prominent figures he knew and befriended. His personal belongings—such as the world map and objects related to his career—further bring to life this portrait of a writer deeply engaged with his time. Beyond their artistic or historical value, these books and objects bear witness to a life devoted to understanding humanity.

The lots will be stored at the Hôtel Drouot warehouse unless you request otherwise.