Petrus BOREL

First edition, one of 600 numbered copies on tinted laid paper, the only issue with 30 Van Zonen copies.
Spine sunned, as is generally the case.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on Arches laid paper, deluxe issue.
Handsome copy despite light worming to margins of some leaves.

First edition printed on laid paper.
Full hazel paper boards, smooth spine, contemporary binding.
Work illustrated with an etching as frontispiece by Ulm.
Unpublished documents, life, writings, correspondence, and poetry of Pétrus Borel.
Rare and handsome copy.

Remarkable Belgian pirate edition of a collection of short stories by Emile Bouchery published in 1837 under the title Après Vèpres and under the pseudonym Froulay. In the absence of revelation of the true author, the pirate publisher arbitrarily attributed it to Pétrus Borel for commercial opportunism and in reference to Madame Putiphar. This attribution occasioned numerous bibliographical debates, the work being somewhat scandalous due to its erotic verve: "Qu'il ose tout, qu'il prenne tout, qu'il les traite en esclaves... c'était leur espoir... le cou se renverse, le sein s'emplit et se développe, les reins s'allument et se soulèvent..." ("Let him dare everything, let him take everything, let him treat them as slaves... that was their hope... the neck arches back, the breast fills and swells, the loins ignite and rise...") Quérard "Supercheries", II, 105.
The work is composed of three short stories entitled Madame Isabelle, A quoi servent les oncles and Du Célibat ecclésiastique.
Half calf binding with corners in beige, spine with five raised bands decorated with fillets, gilt floral friezes and blind floral motifs, gilt fillets on boards, traces of rubbing to joints and corners, original wrappers preserved (boards with three small corner lacks, one of which is skillfully restored), red top edge, contemporary binding.
Rare copy free from foxing.

Remarkable Belgian pirate edition of a collection of short stories by Emile Bouchery published in 1837 under the title Après Vèpres and under the pseudonym Froulay. In the absence of revelation of the true author, the pirate publisher arbitrarily attributed it to Pétrus Borel for commercial opportunism and in reference to Madame Putiphar. This attribution occasioned numerous bibliographical debates, the work being somewhat scandalous due to its erotic verve: "Qu'il ose tout, qu'il prenne tout, qu'il les traite en esclaves... c'était leur espoir... le cou se renverse, le sein s'emplit et se développe, les reins s'allument et se soulèvent..." ("Let him dare everything, let him take everything, let him treat them as slaves... that was their hope... the neck arches back, the breast fills and swells, the loins ignite and rise...") Quérard "Supercheries", II, 105.
The work is composed of three short stories entitled Madame Isabelle, A quoi servent les oncles and Du Célibat ecclésiastique.
Some minor foxing without consequence, a very faint dampstain affecting the very last pages.
Rare.

First edition, one of 600 numbered copies on tinted laid paper, the only issue with 30 Van Zonen copies.
Spine faded as usual.