MATA HARI: (1876-1917) Gertrud Margaretha Zelle being her real name. Dutch exotic Dancer, with stage name Mata Hari ...

MATA HARI: (1876-1917) Gertrud Margaretha Zelle being her real name. Dutch exotic Dancer, with stage name Mata Hari, who was convicted of being a spy working for Germany during World War I. She was executed by firing squad in Paris. A good A.L.S., `Mata Hari´, a bold ink attractive signature, three pages, 8vo, n.p., [Paris], n.d., [1908], on the Hotel Majestic, Paris, printed stationery, to Monsieur Gerson, in French. Mata Hari kindly asks her correspondent to give her back tomorrow the photograph she forwarded to him for the lithographs, and describes the one she specifically wants, stating in part `The one wearing the Hermine coat, with the head bowed, I wish to give it to Coquelin.´, further saying `You will find 24 similar in Berlin, in my home, which are ready yet.´ Extremely small overall minor age wear, with very light creasing, otherwise VG Nicol Gerson was a Parisian impresario and artistic director in charge of Mata Hari´s tours and spectacles. The present letter provenance is from his correspondence archive. Mata Hari most probably refers to Benoit-Constant Coquelin (1841-1909) known as Coquelin ''l´ainé'' (''The Eldest''). French prominent actor.