Intimate letters and family photos that belonged to French writer Marcel Proust – are being auctioned at Sotheby’s in Paris.
Among the items is an original signed edition of Swann’s Way – the first volume of Proust’s celebrated work Remembrance of Things Past.
The seven-volume work is considered a literary masterpiece, rich in personal memories – the most famous being the taste of a madeline bun – dipped in tea.
After Proust’s death in 1922, the collection passed to his brother Robert.
A great-great-niece is selling the items – which include photos of Proust – and photographer Man Ray’s image of the author on his deathbed.
One of the photo’s, dated 1896, shows Proust with his secret gay lover, Lucien Daudet.