Jeanne de BELLUNE

First edition on ordinary paper.
Significant presentation inscription from Colette to the Vicomtesse Jeanne de Bellune "... à Jeannot de Bellune / affectueux souvenir de son amie..."
Spine very slightly faded, a few unobtrusive pale spots on the boards.
Colette and Jeanne de Bellune probably met in 1905 at the Villa d'Eylau, where the Victor-Hugo Circle or "Cercle des arts et de la mode" convened, on the occasion of which the review Le Damier was produced. If "Jeannot" recurs throughout the correspondence of the Burgundian writer, very little is actually known about her. Vicomtesse de Juromenha, this fin-de-siècle courtesan was the lover of numerous i

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Repaired tears to joints, occasional light foxing.
Precious and humorous autograph inscription signed by Willy, then married to Colette, to Viscountess Jeanne de Bellune "A mademoiselle la vicomtesse Jeannot de Bellune. avec une profonde révérence. L'ouvreuse..." ["To Miss Viscountess Jeannot de Bellune. with deep reverence. The usherette..."]
Cover illustrated by Rapeno.

First edition, an advance (service de presse) copy.
Half cherry-red morocco over marbled paper boards by Goy & Vilaine, spine in six compartments, marbled pastedowns and endpapers, covers (slightly wormed, spine sunned) preserved, top edge gilt. Endpapers and half-title faded, a few small marginal spots.
Important inscription from Colette to Viscountess Jeanne de Bellune: « Affectueux souvenir de sa vieille amie » (“affectionate remembrance from her old friend...”)

The Viscountess of Juromenha, this end of century darling, was the lover of several intell

First edition in French, translated by Willy; no mention of large paper copies.
An important, superb inscription from Meg Villars, Willy's mistress while he was married to Colette, to Viscountess Jeanne de Bellune "... pour mon amie Jeannot de Bellune / en souvenirs de plaisirs (qu'on ose à peine qualifier de champêtres) partagés à Monte-Carlo...[for my friend Jeannot de Bellune / in memory of shared pleasures (that one would hardly dare call rural) in Monaco…].”
Cover illustrated in red by Garnier Salbreux.
A handsome copy with an exceptional provenance.