I have returned to Martinet the corrected proofs and the order to print copies of Considerations [on the Assassination of Gerard Lebovici], which will present no problems. They can at least print that one.
But the monstrous and barbaric incompetence of the pagination of Panegryic -- unacceptable for a publisher that has until now lived on Gallimard's reputation -- is singularly aggravated the following circumstances.
1) It is a matter of a re-edition that hasn't even known how to copy its model, which was good.
2) It is a matter of a text obviously written at a certain [i.e., high] level of quality (as one said recently, you know it well, so as to defend certain texts considered to be unquestionably blameworthy for other reasons).
3) The insolence of the procedure claims to impose itself, moreover, like a fact that has been accomplished due to arbitrarily decided timetables: no one attempted to explain the suspect conjunction of the delay (which suddenly created a pseudo-haste) and the laughable method of fabricating books back-to-front, with which Dagobert is experimenting.
4) The other indelicacies that other employees of this publishing house have committed during the same period of time.
Thus, if I don't receive the proper proofs with proper pagination at Champot and with enough time to spare, I will absolutely be opposed to the publication of Panegyric in this falsified form and on the anticipated date. If one hasn't listened to you on this point, you must envision -- along with Madame Deluc[2] -- the reactions that would be necessary, including recourse to a court officer and legal proceedings.
Finally, if this book can be correctly published, or at least delayed, it will in any case be necessary for me to receive excuses and arrangements in writing, as preliminaries to any future dealings.
Cordially yours,[1] Letter sent by registered mail.
[2] Translator's note: Marie-Christine Deluc, an attorney.
(Published in Guy Debord Correspondance, Vol 7: Janvier 1988-Novembre 1994 by Librairie Artheme Fayard, 2008. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! June 2009. Footnotes by the publisher, except where noted.)