Henri BÉRAUD

Full autograph manuscript, written in black and red ink for the title page and in black ink for the text.

Our manuscript is presented under shirt and case in full gray canvas made for Henri Béraud, label of title glued at the top of the shirt.


Complete manuscript in 414 sheets (single-sided), all foliated, dated and written from October 15, 1928 to March 21, 1929.

Precious manuscript of first draft, abundantly corrected and presenting numerous variants with the definitive text published in 1929.

First edition printed on ordinary paper.
Handsome copy.
Full burgundy bakelite binding, spine enhanced with a silver-plated metal plate bearing the engraved title of the work, joints mounted on piano-type hinges, beveled boards at edges, endpapers and pastedowns of gold-enhanced watered silk, covers preserved, top edge gilt, exceptional Art Deco binding signed Jotau, with the mention inside the second board: "breveté S.G.D.G.".
Stunning bakelite binding (thermosetting resin) characteristic of the Art Deco years and already rare in the 1930s given the costly nature of its manufacture.

Fine autograph letter dated and signed by Henri Béraud addressed to his mother-in-law while he was incarcerated at Poissy prison (45 lines in blue ink on a recto-verso page) suffering psychologically from his situation as a prisoner.
The letter is on the headed paper of the infirmary of the Poissy central prison, with fold marks inherent to being placed in an envelope.
The prisoner Henri Béraud recalls the intense joy of having had the consoling visit of his mother-in-law in a somewhat more private manner than usual: "... l'heureux hasard qui nous donna ce parloir tout intime. Souhaitons que ce ne soit là qu'un coup d'essai, et que tout concourra désormais à en faire une réconfortante habitude..." ["the fortunate chance that gave us this intimate visiting room. Let us hope that this was only a trial run, and that everything will henceforth conspire to make it a comforting habit"]
He asks his wife Germaine to send him some objects that would help relieve him somewhat of his condition as an inmate: " Il me faudrait un flacon d'encre bleue-noire waterman pour remplir le bel encrier dû à la gentillesse de mon épouse ! Une ou deux têtes d'ail, un ou deux crayons très tendres..." ["I would need a bottle of Waterman blue-black ink to fill the beautiful inkwell due to my wife's kindness! One or two heads of garlic, one or two very soft pencils..."]
Finally, Henri Béraud, conscious of all the psychological and material support shown to him, expresses his gratitude: "... Chère maman Mickey, je vous embrasse avec toute ma tendresse en vous disant à bientôt ..." ["Dear mama Mickey, I embrace you with all my tenderness while saying see you soon..."]
A bon vivant native of Lyon, Henri Béraud was an international journalist and reporter (Le canard enchaîné, Le Crapouillot, Petit Parisien, France-Soir and Gringoire) and a prolific writer (Prix Goncourt 1922 for Le martyre de l'obèse and Le vitriol de lune published a year earlier) whose political evolution, moving from the extreme left to the extreme right pro-collaborationist position, is characteristic of the inexorable rise of totalitarianisms between the wars and the corruption of many French intellectuals. Friend of Roland Dorgelès, Albert Londres and especially Joseph Kessel whom he met in 1922 in Ireland then recently and partially liberated from the British yoke, Henri Béraud defended very left-wing opinions. But after a trip to the U.S.S.R., he began to revise his positions while drifting toward anti-parliamentarianism, Anglophobia (Faut-il réduire l'Angleterre en esclavage ? published in 1935 and dedicated to Joseph Kessel), antisemitism "without realizing it" according to his friend the journalist Jean-Galtier Boissière. It was the Stavisky affair and its corollary the riots of the fascist and anti-parliamentarian leagues of February 6, 1934 that triggered Henri Béraud's manifest passage to the extreme right, going so far as to break his friendship with his great friend Joseph Kessel. In 1936, his violent articles in Gringoire would lead to the suicide of the Popular Front Interior Minister Roger Salengro accused of desertion during World War I. Arrested in September 1944 and sentenced to death on December 29, 1944 for intelligence with the enemy, he was pardoned by General De Gaulle.

Fine autograph letter dated and signed by Henri Béraud addressed to his mother-in-law while he was incarcerated at Poissy prison (43 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page) the day after his 60th birthday.
The letter is on letterhead of the infirmary of the central prison of Poissy, fold marks inherent to being placed in an envelope, Henri Béraud erroneously indicated the year 1942 in the date instead of 1945.
Henri Béraud overflows with thanks: "... quel époustouflant colis cette semaine ! Il n'y manquait que les petites bougies du rituel gâteau..." ["... what a stunning package this week! All that was missing were the little candles from the ritual cake..."] and projects himself into a happier and freer future: "Espérons qu'au 21 septembre prochain nous le mangerons en famille... avec une bougie de plus." ["Let's hope that next September 21st we'll eat it as a family... with one more candle."]
He rejoices in his brothers-in-law's professional successes only to better caricature himself as the ugly duckling: "... vous seriez, chère maman comblée par la vie, si votre gendre ne vous donnait, à lui seul, plus de souci que toute la famille réunie ne vous en a jamais donné. Ce n'est pas mon moindre chagrin, vous le savez..." ["... you would be, dear mama, fulfilled by life, if your son-in-law alone didn't give you more worry than the entire family combined has ever given you. This is not my least sorrow, as you know..."] and as a burden: "... il m'est cruel, après toute une vie de travail, d'être une charge, pour les miens et de ne pouvoir leur apporter que le poids d'une destinée affreuse, encore qu'immeritée, pour vous plus encore que pour moi." ["... it is cruel to me, after a lifetime of work, to be a burden to my loved ones and to be able to bring them only the weight of a terrible destiny, though undeserved, for you even more than for me."]
Henri Béraud is also tormented by his wife Germaine, whom he senses is unhappy although she wants to hide it from him: "... il faut qu'elle me dise tout. J'ai tellement confiance en elle, qu'elle ne doit rien me cacher. Nous la savons si courageuse ! mais mon propre courage a besoin de tout savoir..." ["... she must tell me everything. I have such confidence in her that she must hide nothing from me. We know her to be so courageous! but my own courage needs to know everything..."]
After psychological concerns, Henri Béraud shifts to the material imperatives so crucial for the prisoner he is: "j'aurais besoin d'un tube de brillantine, si toutefois il est possible d'en trouver. Je voudrais aussi que mes caleçons fussent prêts..." ["I would need a tube of brilliantine, if it's possible to find one. I would also like my underwear to be ready..."] even taking interest in the family garden: "... il faudra utiliser, cette semaine au jardin, la seconde moitié des grains envoyés par Pierre. C'est le moyen qu'ils ne soient pas tous perdus..." ["... we'll need to use, this week in the garden, the second half of the seeds sent by Pierre. That's the way to ensure they're not all lost..."]
A bon vivant native of Lyon, Henri Béraud was an international journalist and reporter (Le canard enchaîné, Le Crapouillot, Petit Parisien, France-Soir and Gringoire) and a prolific writer (1922 Prix Goncourt for Le martyre de l'obèse and Le vitriol de lune published a year earlier) whose political evolution, moving from the extreme left to the pro-collaborationist extreme right, is characteristic of the inexorable rise of totalitarianisms between the two wars and the corruption of many French intellectuals. Friend of Roland Dorgelès, Albert Londres and especially Joseph Kessel whom he met in 1922 in Ireland, recently and partially liberated from British rule, Henri Béraud defended very left-wing opinions. But after a trip to the U.S.S.R., he began to revise his positions while drifting toward anti-parliamentarianism, Anglophobia (Faut-il réduire l'Angleterre en esclavage ? published in 1935 and dedicated to Joseph Kessel), antisemitism "without realizing it" according to his friend journalist Jean-Galtier Boissière. It was the Stavisky affair and its corollary, the riots of the fascist and anti-parliamentarian leagues of February 6, 1934, that triggered Henri Béraud's manifest passage to the extreme right, going so far as to break his friendship with his great friend Joseph Kessel. In 1936, his violent articles in Gringoire would lead to the suicide of Popular Front Interior Minister Roger Salengro, accused of desertion during World War I. Arrested in September 1944 and sentenced to death on December 29, 1944 for intelligence with the enemy, he was pardoned by General De Gaulle.

Touching autograph letter dated and signed by Henri Béraud addressed to his mother-in-law while he was incarcerated at Poissy prison (46 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page) relating his situation as a prisoner and worrying about his mother-in-law's failing health.
The letter is on letterhead from the infirmary of the central prison of Poissy, with fold marks inherent to being placed in an envelope.
Henri Béraud is very sad not to have been able to see his mother-in-law who encounters some health problems preventing her comforting visits to Poissy: "... j'ai été bien peiné de ne pas vous voir jeudi..." ["I was very saddened not to see you Thursday..."] but promises to see her again soon in good health: "... que du moins après cela je vous retrouve en belle santé et toute gaie, comme toujours..." ["may I at least find you again after this in good health and all cheerful, as always..."]
He asks for news of his helpful mother-in-law's family and positions himself as the ugly duckling of the family: " ... seul, en somme, votre gendre vous donne du souci. Que voulez-vous, il faut bien que dans toutes les familles, y comprises les meilleures, on compte un mauvais sujet ..." ["alone, in short, your son-in-law gives you worry. What can you do, it's necessary that in all families, including the best ones, there be one bad subject..."]
Finally, Henri Béraud ironizes about his condition so as not to make "his dear mama" feel too guilty about missing their meetings in the visiting room, Henri Béraud's only source of escape to the outside world: "... ne vous fatiguez pas surtout, comme je vous soupçonne de le faire, pour les colis de ce chenapan. Il est infiniment trop gâté, et une fois de plus, il vous remercien de tout coeur, pour la peine que vous prenez..." ["don't tire yourself especially, as I suspect you do, for the packages of this rascal. He is infinitely too spoiled, and once again, he thanks you with all his heart for the trouble you take..."]
A bon vivant native of Lyon, Henri Béraud was a journalist and international reporter (Le canard enchaîné, Le Crapouillot, Petit Parisien, France-Soir and Gringoire) and a prolific writer (Prix Goncourt 1922 for Le martyre de l'obèse and Le vitriol de lune published a year earlier) whose political evolution, moving from the extreme left to the extreme right pro-collaborationist position, is characteristic of the inexorable rise of totalitarianism in the inter-war period and the corruption of many French intellectuals. Friend of Roland Dorgelès, Albert Londres and especially Joseph Kessel whom he met in 1922 in Ireland when it was recently and partially liberated from British rule, Henri Béraud defended very left-wing opinions. But after a trip to the U.S.S.R., he began to revise his positions while drifting toward anti-parliamentarism, Anglophobia (Faut-il réduire l'Angleterre en esclavage ? published in 1935 and dedicated to Joseph Kessel), and anti-Semitism "without realizing it" according to his friend the journalist Jean-Galtier Boissière. It was the Stavisky affair and its corollary, the riots of the fascist and anti-parliamentarian leagues of February 6, 1934, that triggered Henri Béraud's manifest passage to the extreme right, going so far as to break his friendship with his great friend Joseph Kessel. In 1936, his violent articles in Gringoire led to the suicide of the Popular Front's Interior Minister Roger Salengro, accused of desertion during the First World War. Arrested in September 1944 and sentenced to death on December 29, 1944 for intelligence with the enemy, he was pardoned by General De Gaulle.

Fine autograph letter dated and signed by Henri Béraud addressed to his mother-in-law while he was incarcerated at Poissy prison (43 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page) suffering psychologically from his situation as a prisoner.
The letter is on letterhead from the infirmary of the central prison of Poissy, with fold marks inherent to being placed in an envelope.
Morally affected, the prisoner Henri Béraud attempts to show optimism by putting his misfortunes in perspective: "... Mauvaise période ! Mais après la pluie le beau temps. Celui qui a trouvé cela est un consolateur qui en vaut bien d'autre, et qui, somme toute, n'est pas le plus bête..." ["Bad times! But after the rain comes fair weather. Whoever found that saying is a comforter as good as any other, and who, all in all, is not the most foolish..."]
He asks his wife Germaine to send him: " ... Si elle en a la possibilité, elle peut forcer sur le pain d'épices, qui vraiment est d'un grand secours..." ["If she has the possibility, she can increase the gingerbread, which truly is of great help..."] and rejoices ironically about his condition : "... Pour le reste, madame la marquise, tout va très bien, trop bien ! " ["For the rest, madame la marquise, everything is going very well, too well!"]
Finally, Henri Béraud impatiently awaits a new photograph of his wife: "... pour cela, je suis insatiable. Et ma cellule, pourtant, en est illuminée dejà ! ..." ["for that, I am insatiable. And my cell, however, is already illuminated by it!..."]
A bon vivant native of Lyon, Henri Béraud was a journalist and international reporter (Le canard enchaîné, Le Crapouillot, Petit Parisien, France-Soir and Gringoire) and a prolific writer (Prix Goncourt 1922 for Le martyre de l'obèse and Le vitriol de lune published a year earlier) whose political evolution, moving from the extreme left to the extreme right pro-collaborationist position, is characteristic of the inexorable rise of totalitarianism in the inter-war period and the corruption of many French intellectuals. Friend of Roland Dorgelès, Albert Londres and especially Joseph Kessel whom he met in 1922 in Ireland when it was recently and partially liberated from British rule, Henri Béraud defended very left-wing opinions. But after a trip to the U.S.S.R., he began to revise his positions while drifting toward anti-parliamentarism, Anglophobia (Faut-il réduire l'Angleterre en esclavage ? published in 1935 and dedicated to Joseph Kessel), and anti-Semitism "without realizing it" according to his friend the journalist Jean-Galtier Boissière. It was the Stavisky affair and its corollary, the riots of the fascist and anti-parliamentarian leagues of February 6, 1934, that triggered Henri Béraud's manifest passage to the extreme right, going so far as to break his friendship with his great friend Joseph Kessel. In 1936, his violent articles in Gringoire led to the suicide of the Popular Front's Interior Minister Roger Salengro, accused of desertion during the First World War. Arrested in September 1944 and sentenced to death on December 29, 1944 for intelligence with the enemy, he was pardoned by General De Gaulle.

Touching autograph letter dated and signed by Henri Béraud addressed to his mother-in-law while he was incarcerated at Poissy prison (36 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page) describing his situation as a prisoner while praising the love of his mother-in-law and his wife who watch over him and allow him to view prison life under better auspices, thanks notably to the packages that improve his daily fare.
The letter is on letterhead from the infirmary of the central prison at Poissy where Henri Béraud was being treated, fold marks inherent to mailing.
Henri Béraud knows his mother-in-law is suffering and deplores her absence from last week's visiting room: "... j'ai été peiné de ne pas vous voir jeudi..." ["... I was saddened not to see you Thursday..."] and hopes for her prompt recovery: "... je forme les voeux les plus fervents pour que vos piqûres donnent de bons résultats..." ["... I offer my most fervent wishes that your injections give good results..."] thanks notably to his intervention: "... grâce à mon collègue, dont le père est pharmacien, vous aurez peut-être de l'endopancrine..." ["... thanks to my colleague, whose father is a pharmacist, you may perhaps have some endopancrine..."]
He thanks his dear mother-in-law for all the emotional and material care with which she surrounds him and which beautifies his condition as a sick prisoner: "... le colis de jeudi dernier était comme à l'ordinaire magnifique..." Combien je vous remercie toutes deux de tant de soins et de peine ! " ["... last Thursday's package was magnificent as usual... How I thank you both for so much care and trouble!"]
He also requests paper and envelope to escape episodically from the darkness of his prison daily life: "... ne manquez pas de mettre enveloppe et papier dans votre lettre..." ["... don't forget to put envelope and paper in your letter..."] and asks for news of his relatives: "donnez-moi des nouvelles de votre belle-famille, qui est aussi la mienne, et qui me manifeste tant de généreuse affection..." ["give me news of your in-laws, who are also mine, and who show me such generous affection..."]
A bon vivant native of Lyon, Henri Béraud was a journalist and international reporter (Le canard enchaîné, Le Crapouillot, Petit Parisien, France-Soir and Gringoire) and a prolific writer (Goncourt Prize 1922 for Le martyre de l'obèse and Le vitriol de lune published a year earlier) whose political evolution, moving from the extreme left to the extreme right pro-collaborationist, is characteristic of the inexorable rise of totalitarianisms of the interwar period and the corruption of many French intellectuals. Friend of Roland Dorgelès, Albert Londres and especially Joseph Kessel whom he met in 1922 in Ireland then recently and partially liberated from the British yoke, Henri Béraud defended very left-wing opinions. But after a trip to the U.S.S.R., he began to revise his positions while drifting toward anti-parliamentarism, Anglophobia (Faut-il réduire l'Angleterre en esclavage ? published in 1935 and dedicated to Joseph Kessel), antisemitism "without realizing it" according to his friend journalist Jean-Galtier Boissière. It was the Stavisky affair and its corollary the riots of the fascist and anti-parliamentarian leagues of February 6, 1934 that triggered Henri Béraud's manifest passage to the extreme right, going so far as to break his friendship with his great friend Joseph Kessel. In 1936, his violent articles in Gringoire led to the suicide of Popular Front interior minister Roger Salengro accused of desertion during the First World War. Arrested in September 1944 and sentenced to death on December 29, 1944 for intelligence with the enemy, he was pardoned by General De Gaulle.

Touching autograph letter dated and signed by Henri Béraud addressed to his mother-in-law while he was incarcerated at Poissy prison (40 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page) relating his situation as a prisoner while praising the love of the latter and his wife who watch over him and allow him to envisage prison life under better auspices, thanks notably to the parcels that improve his daily fare.
The letter is headed with the infirmary of the central prison of Poissy where Henri Béraud was being treated, creasing traces inherent to being placed in an envelope. A printed stamp of the prison administration "Seen and checked" in the left and upper margin of the letter
Henri Béraud rejoices in his mother-in-law's good health which allows her to visit him again: "... Now that you have found your way back to Poissy, you must not forget it again..." even if the weather is not cooperating: "... One wonders if the sun has gone on strike or if it has gone for a walk in the distant land of true justice and common sense..." thus establishing a parallel between his dark condition as a prisoner and the darkness of the sky.
He hopes to see his wife Germaine again: "... with the hairstyle that suits her so well..." and to receive new photographs of her.
The author of Le Martyre de l'obèse wants to reassure his family thanks to whose support he copes: "Tell them that morale remains strong - and the parcels are wonderful." and ends his letter, remaining the pamphleteer that he is, with an anti-American quip: "I embrace you with my deep and respectful tenderness, although respect and Mickey clash a bit!"
He also requests paper and envelope to escape episodically from the darkness of his prison routine: "... don't forget to put envelope and paper in your letter..." and asks for news of his relatives: "give me news of your in-laws, who are also mine, and who show me such generous affection..."
A bon vivant native of Lyon, Henri Béraud was a journalist and international reporter (Le canard enchaîné, Le Crapouillot, Petit Parisien, France-Soir and Gringoire) and a prolific writer (Prix Goncourt 1922 for Le martyre de l'obèse and Le vitriol de lune published a year earlier) whose political evolution, moving from the extreme left to the extreme right pro-collaborationist, is characteristic of the inexorable rise of totalitarianisms in the inter-war period and the corruption of many French intellectuals. Friend of Roland Dorgelès, Albert Londres and especially Joseph Kessel whom he met in 1922 in Ireland then recently and partially liberated from British rule, Henri Béraud defended very left-wing opinions. But after a trip to the U.S.S.R., he began to revise his positions while drifting towards anti-parliamentarianism, Anglophobia (Faut-il réduire l'Angleterre en esclavage? published in 1935 and dedicated to Joseph Kessel), antisemitism "without realizing it" according to his friend the journalist Jean-Galtier Boissière. It was the Stavisky affair and its corollary the riots of the fascist and anti-parliamentarian leagues of February 6, 1934 that triggered Henri Béraud's manifest passage to the extreme right, going so far as to break his friendship with his great friend Joseph Kessel. In 1936, his violent articles in Gringoire would lead to the suicide of the Interior Minister of the Popular Front Roger Salengro accused of desertion during the First World War. Arrested in September 1944 and sentenced to death on December 29, 1944 for intelligence with the enemy, he was pardoned by General De Gaulle.

Touching autograph letter dated and signed by Henri Béraud addressed to his mother-in-law while imprisoned at Poissy prison (65 lines in blue then black ink on three pages) relating his situation as a prisoner while praising the love of the latter and his wife who watch over him and allow him to envisage prison life under better auspices.
The letter is on the letterhead of the infirmary of the central prison of Poissy, with fold marks inherent to being placed in an envelope.
Henri Béraud rejoices at having been able to see his mother-in-law in good health and worries about the sacrifices she inflicts upon herself for the well-being of her imprisoned son-in-law: "... j'ai été heureux jeudi de vous voir avec si bonne mine...je pense aux difficultés... je crains que toujours que vous ne vous priviez pour moi..." ["... I was happy Thursday to see you looking so well... I think of the difficulties... I always fear that you deprive yourself for me..."] while remaining lucid about the indignity of his prisoner's condition which does not allow him to protect his loved ones: "... je compte tellement sur vous pour veiller sur notre Germaine (Henri Béraud's wife) pour l'obliger à se soigner et à se ménager..." ["... I count so much on you to watch over our Germaine to force her to take care of herself and spare herself..."]
He considers his arrest and imprisonment illegitimate and abusive and shows confidence in his future with his mother and spouse "by his side": "... le triste et injuste sort qui m'est fait. C'est cela qui me donne le plus de confiance dans l'avenir - cela et votre bonté à mon égard chère maman et, bien sûr, l'amour de la plus noble et de la plus belle des épouses..." ["... the sad and unjust fate that has befallen me. This is what gives me the most confidence in the future - this and your kindness toward me dear mother and, of course, the love of the noblest and most beautiful of wives..."]
Finally, Henri Béraud continues in black ink with a recommendation for his wife: "... en ce qui concerne sa visite à l'ami d'H. Espiau, je la laisse naturellement juge d'orienter cette conversation... au mieux de mes intérêts immédiats..." ["... regarding her visit to H. Espiau's friend, I naturally leave her to judge how to direct this conversation... in the best interest of my immediate concerns..."]
A bon vivant native of Lyon, Henri Béraud was an international journalist and reporter (Le canard enchaîné, Le Crapouillot, Petit Parisien, France-Soir and Gringoire) and a prolific writer (Goncourt Prize 1922 for Le martyre de l'obèse and Le vitriol de lune published a year earlier) whose political evolution, moving from the extreme left to the extreme right pro-collaborationist, is characteristic of the inexorable rise of totalitarianisms between the wars and the corruption of many French intellectuals. Friend of Roland Dorgelès, Albert Londres and especially Joseph Kessel whom he met in 1922 in Ireland then recently and partially liberated from the British yoke, Henri Béraud defended very left-wing opinions. But after a trip to the U.S.S.R., he began to revise his positions while drifting toward anti-parliamentarianism, Anglophobia (Faut-il réduire l'Angleterre en esclavage ? published in 1935 and dedicated to Joseph Kessel), antisemitism "without realizing it" according to his friend journalist Jean-Galtier Boissière. It was the Stavisky affair and its corollary the riots of the fascist and anti-parliamentary leagues of February 6, 1934 that triggered Henri Béraud's manifest passage to the extreme right, going so far as to break his friendship with his great friend Joseph Kessel. In 1936, his violent articles in Gringoire would lead to the suicide of Popular Front Interior Minister Roger Salengro accused of desertion during the First World War. Arrested in September 1944 and condemned to death on December 29, 1944 for intelligence with the enemy, he was pardoned by General De Gaulle.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on laid paper, deluxe copy.
Spine and boards slightly faded without consequence, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
A handsome and rare full-margined copy.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on laid paper Lafuma, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy, retaining its deckled edges.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Rives paper, deluxe issue. Illustrations in text.
Copy in mint condition.

Collected edition with some parts in first edition, one of 200 numbered copies on Rives paper, the only issue.
Copy in mint condition.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Rives paper for each volume, deluxe printing.
Illustrations by Bécan, Charlet, Pavis, Pedro and Roger Roy, Carb, Rafer, Bib, Gus Bofa, Don, Ferjac.
Index and tables at the end.
Copies in mint condition for this trilogy.

First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on Bouffant paper for each volume, the only printing after 50 copies on Rives.
Illustrations by Bécan, Charlet, Pavis, Pedro and Roger Roy, Carb, Rafer, Bib, Gus Bofa, Don, Ferjac.
Index and tables at the end.
Copies in mint condition for this trilogy.

First edition, one of 262 numbered copies on "pur-fil" paper including a page of the manuscript of the book .
Pleasant copy wide-margined very complete of its genealogical table leaflet in fine.

First edition, one of 77 numbered copies on "pur-fil" paper, head print after 35 Holland paper.
Beautiful and rare copy wide-margined.

First edition copied.
Two pale wettings at the bottom of the first board and at the head of the second board.
Autograph dedication signed by André Lahaye to a friend whom he calls Momo: "A Momo who - I know - is at the heart of sad songs from beyond the walls."

First edition, one of 39 numbered copies on Japan, head print.
Small tears and shortfalls witnesses, a slight lack and a tear in the head of the first board and margins of both boards.
Copy at all margins.
Handwritten signature of Henri Béraud below the justification of the draw.
Our copy is complete of a manuscript sheet of the book.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
A small dampstain at foot of second cover also affecting some leaves in their margins, retaining its deckled edges.

First edition on ordinary paper for each of the volumes; no mention is made of deluxe paper for the first.
Half fawn shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved (the front cover of the second volume is soiled).
Handsome copy.

Full autograph manuscript, signed, written in black and red markers for the title page and in blue ink for the text.

Our manuscript is presented under shirt and case in full gray canvas made for Henri Béraud, label of title glued at the top of the shirt.
Back and flat of the case and the shirt insolated and having foxinges.

Complete manuscript in 204 sheets, 203 of which are foliaged and the title page signed with the author's initials and dated 1946, in 12-inch format, single-sided and enriched with in-text color drawings and initials of the author.

Provenance: Henri Béraud's library.

First edition.
Henry Béraud's monthly pamphlet.

First edition.

First edition.

First edition.

First edition.

First edition.

First edition.
Special Legislative Elections of 1914 issue.
Henry Béraud's monthly pamphlet.

First edition.
Henry Béraud's monthly pamphlet.
Rusted staple and tear at head of joints.

First Edition printed on Alfa paper.
Small traces of minor folds in the margins of the boards.
Autograph signed by Henri Béraud to Gaston Chérau.
Our copy is enriched by an autograph letter signed half-page Henri Béraud to Gaston Chérau, dated September 22, 1925, in which he thanked for his benevolent criticism and at the end of which he deplores the inexorable popularity of Communism which he fought in "I saw Moscow" published recently, envelope attached.

first edition, one of the 240 ex numbered on "pur-fil" paper.
Small traces of marginal folds without gravity on the first flat if not exemplary at all margins.
Our copy is complete of his page of autograph manuscript of the work and the genealogical table in fine .

First edition, one of 88 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe issue after only 39 on Japan paper.
Small tears to foot of deckled edges, otherwise handsome full-margined copy.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Hollande, tirage de tête.
A very good copy, with edges preserved.

First edition of the Spanish translation of "Vitriol de lune" which won the Prix Goncourt a year earlier.
Bradel binding in full moiré-patterned paper, smooth spine, brown morocco title-label, covers and spine preserved, contemporary binding signed by Schroeder.
Precious signed autograph inscription from the translator J. de Saseta: "Au maître Henri Béraud en souvenir des longues heures passées en communication spirituelle avec lui." ["To master Henri Béraud in memory of the long hours spent in spiritual communication with him."]
Some minor foxing affecting mainly the white endpapers of the binding.
Provenance: from Henri Béraud's library in Ré.

First edition of the Spanish translation of "Martyre de l'obèse" which won the Prix Goncourt a year earlier.
Bradel binding in full moiré-patterned paper, smooth spine, brown morocco title-label, covers and spine preserved, contemporary binding signed by Schroeder.
Precious signed autograph inscription from the translator J. de Saseta: "Au maître Henri Béraud hommage de son traducteur." ["To master Henri Béraud, homage from his translator."]
Some minor foxing affecting mainly the white endpapers of the binding.
Provenance: from Henri Béraud's library in Ré.

Pre-publication edition printed in a few copies and presented under special grey covers.
First leaves and front covers dog-eared at foot, a small lack at head of front cover, traces of angular creases on back cover.
Provenance: from the library of Henri Béraud in Ré.

First edition, one of 185 numbered copies on alfa paper, ours one of the 85 hors commerce copies.
Light foxing on covers and endpapers.
Provenance: from Henri Béraud's library in Ré.

First edition.
Illustrated by Jacques Martin.
A good copy retaining its advertising slip.
Provenance : the library of Henri Béraud.

First edition, one of rares copies d'auteur on Hollande dont il n'est fait nulle mention, the only large paper copies.
Small and slight foxings on covers and some edges.
Rare copy with edges preserved.
Provenance : Henri Béraud's library.

First edition, one of 1000 numbered copies on vélin du Marais, the only issue after 100 vellum copies.
Work illustrated with original woodcuts by Jean Chièze.
Handsome copy.

First edition, a numbered copy on alfa paper.
A good copy retaining its genealogic table at end.

First edition, one of 1380 numbered copies on alfa paper.
Half cherry red shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets, gilt date at foot, gilt fillets framing the marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 44 numbered copies on pur fil paper.
A tear at foot of spine at the level of the deckled edges, slight worming without consequence on the front cover and first endpaper.
A full-margined copy.

First edition, one of 13 numbered copies on pure thread paper, ours being one of the 6 hors commerce copies, the deluxe issue after 7 Japan and 8 Holland.
A tear at the foot of the spine at the level of the deckled edges, some small foxing on certain deckled edges and the endpapers.

First edition, one of 24 numbered copies on Hollande, tirage de tête after 4 Japon.
Some small tiny marginal stains to the covers, some edges and the endpapers.

First edition, one of 275 numbered copies on Holland paper, from the deluxe edition after 25 China and 75 Japan.
One tear at foot of spine at the deckled edges, another marginal tear on the front cover.

First edition, one of 1000 numbered copies on B.F.K. de Rives paper.
Work illustrated with original drypoints by J. Boullaire and a portrait of the author by Madrassi as frontispiece.
Work lacking its slipcase.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Rives, the tirage de tête.
A very good copy.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Rives, the tirage de tête.
A very good copy.

First edition, one of 400 copies on laid paper, the only issue with 5 handmade paper.
Rare autograph inscription signed to Gustave Rahir.
Work illustrated by Jacques Martin.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally faded without consequence.
Rare.

First edition, one of 1068 numbered copies on alfa paper, ours one of 68 hors commerce copies.
A fold mark on the first cover, a small tear reglued at the head of one joint.

First edition, one of 5 numbered copies on handmade Normandy vellum paper, ours unnumbered, deluxe copy.
Illustrations hors-texte by Jacques Martin.
A lack at head of spine which also shows marginal tears with tiny lacks, one joint reglued, minute lacks and corner tears to second cover, pale dampstain at head of first endpaper, otherwise handsome interior condition.
Very rare copy of the author's fifth work.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Rives paper, the only deluxe copies. Illustrations. Stains to spine, handsome condition internally.

First edition, one of 290 numbered copies on pure thread paper, ours one of 20 hors commerce copies specially printed for Alin Laubreaux.
Light worming of no consequence to the final endpaper and to some deckled edges, handsome full-margined copy.
Very fine full-page autograph inscription signed by the author to Alin Laubreaux: "...vous avez vu naître ce livre, vous l'avez aidé à vivre, il vous appartient presqu'autant qu'à son père. Mais son père vous aime comme un fils et c'est tendrement mon petit Alin qu'avec un air bougon il vous serre sur son coeur..." ["...you have seen this book come to life, you have helped it to live, it belongs to you almost as much as to its father. But its father loves you like a son and it is tenderly my little Alin that with a gruff air he holds you to his heart..."]
Born in New Caledonia, Alin Laubreaux was a writer and journalist principally known for his theatrical reviews published in the ultra-collaborationist, anti-Semitic and fascist newspaper Je suis partout.
Hated by a good part of the Parisian artistic milieu, he was publicly slapped in June 1941 by Jean Marais whom he had called "l'homme au Cocteau entre les dents" after having savaged the playwright's latest play La machine à écrire. The scene was freely adapted by Louis Malle in his Le Dernier Métro. Alin Laubreaux was also accused of having played a significant role in the arrest by the Gestapo, then in the deportation of the poet Robert Desnos whom he execrated and who had also slapped him some years earlier. At the Liberation, he fled to Spain and was condemned to death in absentia in 1947.

First edition, one of 75 numbered copies on vergé pur fil, the only large paper copies sold.
A rare and good copy of Béraud's masterpiece.

First edition, one of 75 numbered copies on Hollande, the only large paper copies.
Endpapers shaded, otherwise a rare and good copy with edges preserved.

First edition, one of 210 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies along with 7 on Japan and 22 on pur fil.
Pale offsetting from adhesive paper at head and foot of endpapers, otherwise a handsome copy of this work dedicated to Albert Londres.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Rives, tirage de tête. Illustrations to text.
Copy in new condition.

First edition, one of 150 numbered copies on Hollande paper after 75 on Japan paper.
A copy with good margins, spine and covers marginally sunned, otherwise a very good copy.

First edition, one of 106 numbered copies on Hollande, tirage de tête after 38 Japon.
A very good copy with good margins.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Rives, deluxe printing.
Illustrations by Bécan, Charlet, Pavis, Pedro and Roger Roy.
Index and tables at rear.
Copy in mint condition.

First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on bouffant paper, the only printing with 50 on Rives.
Illustrations by Bib, Gus Bofa, Don, Ferjac, Pedro and Roger Roy.
Index and tables at rear.
Copy in mint condition.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Rives paper, deluxe copy.
Illustrations by Bib, Gus Bofa, Don, Ferjac, Pedro and Roger Roy. Index and tables at rear.
Copy in mint condition.

Edition first in part, one of 200 numbered copies on papier de Rives.
Like new.

First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on bouffant paper, the only issue with 50 on Rives and a few hors commerce copies. Illustrations by Carb, Charlet, Pedro, Rafer and Roger Roy. Index and tables at rear. Copy in mint condition.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Rives paper, deluxe copy.
Illustrations by Carb, Charlet, Pedro, Rafer and Roger Roy.
Index and tables at rear.
Copy in mint condition.

First edition, one of 500 numbered copies on alfa paper, ours specially printed for Léon Daudet.
Spine sunned, a small light stain on the back cover, a tiny hole at the head of the first endpaper, light foxing.
Complete with its publisher's slip also printed on alfa paper.
Autograph inscription signed by Henri Béraud below the justification page: "Avec l'admiration et l'amitié d'Henri Béraud."

Rare first edition of the first book of the author for which it was not drawn from great papers.
Back restored with tears and gaps, angular gaps on the boards, nice interior state.
Book adorned with 27 inset reproductions and many illustrations in the text.

First edition.

First edition, one of 25 copies on Japan, head print.
Wrinkled back with two small gaps.
Signed autograph Henry Torres to his friend Gaudel: "... the most loyal, the bravest of the opponents, the fairest judge, the most chic of friends, in memory of five days together ..."

First edition, one of 458 numbered copies on alfa paper.
Small foxing, not serious, to spine, covers slightly wrinkled to head.

first edition on the current paper.
Signed autograph Henri Beraud Andre Doris.
Small marginal tear on the back and flat with a few tiny gaps.