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PÉTAIN PHILIPPE: (1856-1951), French General of World War I, Prime Minister of France 1940 and Chief of the French State 1940-44. A.L.S., 'Ph. Pétain', two pages, to a 5.5 x 4 card, [Madrid], 20th February 1940, on the printed stationery of the French Embassy in Spain, to an unidentified Commandant, in French. Pétain states in part ''..the memory of your father remains very present in my mind. His name will not be forgotten, and will be celebrated by future generations...''. Further and before concluding Pétain says ''..the birth of a grandson establishes a happy compensation and a kind of balance in the family...''. With two stains, none affecting the signature, otherwise VG £80-100 Pétain was French ambassador to Spain for only one year, from May 1939 to May 1940. Pierre Lanzerac is the Commandant Petain writes to, son of General Charles Lanrezac (1852-1925) who distinguished himself during the First World War at the head of the 5th Army.