I think I'll be staying here [Champot] all autumn. But perhaps we could approach the question of publishing before we meet by [exchanging] letters?
I believe that you have long employed diverse variants of the formula "Jean-Jacques Pauvert at . . ." And, on the other hand, you have mentioned Antoine Gallimard and his good disposition towards me. Of course I would have no objection to such a mixed sponsorship, which would be glorious thanks to you, with only a single preliminary [requirement]. I would like to be assured that Antoine Gallimard now agrees that, in January 1969, when he came to express the opinion that "all the situationists" -- and thus me personally -- had manifested the intention of being published by his father,[1] he positively had no proof of this, in any case, [not] in my case. The matter might seem to be a trifle. Nevertheless, I am so often calumniated, and on so many terrains, without the least appearance of reason, that you will certainly understand that I cannot let anyone wonder if I have gone back on my word [stated] at the time of the negotiations that were quite real, but destined to be concluded 22 years later. I think that your opinion on the subject, as I have written to you, would be heard without difficulty. What do you think?
Moreover, it goes without saying that it would be necessary to consider globally the question of the re-publication of several of my books, which can be regarded as quite rare "classics" of the critique of our era, and which could be led to disappear, exactly for this [reason], by procedures that are themselves dangerously characteristic of this era. I know well that this aspect of the matter cannot hinder you. But are things firm with Gallimard? Tell me, I beg you, how you see the matter in general. And also what particular details I can clarify for you.
Cordially,[1] Translator's note: the situationists broke off all relations with Gallimard on 16 January 1969. Between 1967 and 1968, Gallimard published two situationist books: Raoul Vaneigem's Treatise on Living for the Younger Generations and Rene Vienet, et. al's Enrages and Situationists in the Occupations Movement.
(Published in Guy Debord Correspondance, Vol 7: Janvier 1988-Novembre 1994 by Librairie Artheme Fayard, 2008. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! February 2009.)