INTRODUCTION TO DAUMIER'S SIGNATURES

When looking at 4’000 prints by Daumier, it is interesting to observe the many different signatures he applied to mark his lithographic stones. Unlike artists like Van Gogh or Picasso, Daumier varied his signatures, and even his monograms in many different ways.

We have endeavored to supply a few samples of Daumier’s monograms and signatures. Considering the astonishing quantity of 4’000 lithographs, 1’000 wood engravings, some 1’000 drawings and watercolors, 300 paintings, it was simply not possible to show more than a small part of all of his signatures.

We therefore refrained from overloading this section, and simply gave a few typical examples from different time periods. In case you are about to purchase an important print, drawing, or painting, you should in any case consult an expert. We will be happy to give you advice if needed.

An interesting fact to remember: during the beginning of his working period, Daumier was also signing a few prints with the alias name ROGELIN. For more details please consult the DAUMIER REGISTER.

We are also showing in this section a few letters written by Daumier. Unfortunately, letters from Daumier are very rare. Unlike Van Gogh, he was not an passionate letter writer, but we hope to be able to collect some more information about Daumier’s letters.

EXAMPLES OF DAUMIER'S SIGNATURES

A letter by Daumier to an unnamed correspondent, addressed to “M” for Monsieur. It is undated and unsigned.

He is politely and at length saying no, but promising to try to comply with his correspondent's request at a future time ('que je ne peux pas determiner' “still do be determined”).

A letter by Daumier signed “h Daumier”, dated “17 Mercredi”, published in the book by Frantz, H. and Uzanne, O. “Daumier and Gavarni”, 1904.

This letter was written by Daumier during his stay at Ste. Pélagie Prison on October 9, 1832. The original French text of this letter exhibited at the Ingelheim Exhibition in April 1971 reads as follows:

“ Mon cher Genron, je suis forcé à t’ècrire ne pouvant aller te voir, car je suis retenu à Ste. Pèlagie par une légère indisposition…

j’attends ta réponse avec impatience. Répond-moi tot de suite au sujet de Cabat ou de Huet.

Mes respects à ta famille

Adieu la Gouape

h.-D.

elle est toujours dans tous ses

Charmes ( la République)

ne me parle pas de politique parce que

les lettres sont décachetées «

Je soussigné Honoré Daumier déclare réduire le prix de mes dessins en lithographie, à quarante francs le dessin à la condition 1° que les 11 premières pierres que je livrerai au Charivari me seront payées à l’ancien prix c’est adire cinquante francs chacune.

2° que cette réduction me sera opérée qu’autant que M Dutacy restera attaché à l’….. du Charivari ; cette…. ayant été faite dans le but unique de lui être agréable.

Paris ce 30 7 1843.

h Daumier.

This photograph shows a letter handwritten by Daumier, confirming his agreement with Philipon on a payment of 40 Francs for each lithograph delivered. It is one of the few documents, showing the income which Daumier drew from his artistic activity. It might be interesting to note that a worker’s income amounted to 1 franc per day or 30 francs per month. With this salary he would be able to support a family of four. We will revert at a later date to the questions whether Daumier lead a financially comfortable life or, as so often mentioned lived at the brink of financial chaos. (see also some not too serious observations about the "Cost of Living in Daumier's Time".)

Letter from H.Daumier to Emile Walbier about the death of his friend, artist Jean-Jacques Feuchère, 1852.

Pen and brown ink on ivory wove paper.

Property of the Art Institute of Chicago.

TEXT:

Monsieur

Emile Walbier

8 bis Place Furstemberg

F. St. Germain

Mon cher Monsieur Walbier

Feuchère est mort ce

matin a une heure

venez si vous pouvez

h.Daumier

Undated letter from H. Daumier to Rousseau proposing to spend a few days at Rousseau's place. The letter was offered for sale at Christie's in 2007.

TEXT:

Mon cher Rousseau

pouvons nous aller passer quelques jours avec vous? Si cela est possible ne nous repondez pas; nous partirons Samedi soir ou Dimanche. dans le cas ou cela vous generait ayez la bonté de nous le dire.

une bonne poignée de main en attendant le plaisir de vous voir

h Daumier

Handwritten Letter by Honoré Daumier. Reproduction courtesy of Norton Simon Art Foundation. Pasadena, CA (USA).

TEXT:

29 Xbre 69 (crossed out)

30 Janvier 70

Monsieur.

Me voici rentré à Paris dont j'ai été absent tout l'été-

Je suis maintenant Monsieur tout a votre disposition: quand j'aurai l'honneur de vous voir, je vous dirai lau cause de l'impardonnable retard de ma réponse a votre lettre du mois de Juin!

en attendant, excusez moi Monsieur et agréez l'expression de mes sentiments distingués

h.Daumier

J'ai a votre disposition un portrait lithographié et une photographie

Letter from Honoré Daumier to Monsieur Montrosier whom he invites to visit him the following day.

20.9 x 13.5 cm, full signature "h.Daumier"

TEXT:

Samedi, 2 10bre 76

Cher Monsieur Montrosier

Je serai chez moi demain toute la journée

Je vous serre bien la main en attandans le plaisir de vous voir

Tout à vous

h.Daumier

Photograph from Kornfeld auction catalogue, June 6, 2008