First edition, printed on ordinary paper, of the 1914 Prix Goncourt, awarded in 1916.
Bound in burgundy half morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands highlighted by black fillets, date gilt-stamped at foot, covers in marbled 'oeil-de-chat' paper, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine — slightly faded — preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed by Devauchelle.
A handsome copy in an elegant binding.
Rare signed presentation inscription from Adrien Bertrand to Saint Georges de Bouhélier.
A patriotic pacifist, Adrien Bertrand was wounded by shell splinters in the chest at Hemamesnil in Lorraine at the end of October 1914. Aware that his wounds were fatal, he devoted himself to writing "L'appel du sol" before dying on 18 November 1917.