Charles DE GAULLE

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies on Vélin du Marais, ours one of 15 lettered copies not for sale, the only copies on deluxe paper.

Attractive copy despite a faint shadow along the margin of the upper cover.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Pur Fil du Marais, the only deluxe copies, alongside a few hors commerce also printed on Pur Fil du Marais.

A handsome and scarce copy of this anti-Gaullist pamphlet.

First edition on ordinary paper, with the printed dedication to Marshal Pétain.

Discreet restorations to the spine.

Our copy is housed in a chemise and slipcase of navy blue half morocco, smooth spine lettered with author, title, and date in palladium, decorated paper boards, grey paper pastedowns, slipcase trimmed with matching navy morocco and decorated paper sides; binding signed by Boichot.

An exceptional copy inscribed by General de Gaulle to Colonel Émile Mayer, his “great friend [...] without whom this book could not have been conceived,” as stated in the author’s own inscription, which continues: “Receive, my Colonel, my deepest gratitude and my profound respect.”

A visionary soldier and theorist whom de Gaulle would later acknowledge as his strategic mentor, Émile Mayer corrected the very proofs of this work, which is here presented to him in these warm lines. Fifteen years before the First World War, Mayer had predicted the trench warfare to come. From the 1920s, de Gaulle frequented the salon of this great thinker of military art, whose Jewish origins and Dreyfusard sympathies had subjected him to calumnious antisemitic attacks and suspension from the army between 1899 and 1907. Both Mayer and de Gaulle opposed the immobile dogma of the French General Staff. Their military prophecies proved extraordinarily accurate concerning the mechanisation of the modern army: “For fifteen years, they confronted the same themes, not without disagreements, and each evolved while enriching the other” (Milo Lévy-Bruhl). At their weekly lunches they exchanged perspectives on the future of corps and tactics, both convinced of the futility of the Maginot Line. Mayer favoured a strategy of aerial and chemical warfare, while de Gaulle advocated the use of armoured divisions. Despite their differences, Mayer actively promoted the ideas of his protégé, and assisted in revising France and Her Army—having been won over, after the shock of the reoccupation of the Rhineland, to de Gaulle’s ambition of creating a professional armoured army. De Gaulle addressed these remarkable words of gratitude to his mentor just two weeks before Mayer’s death on November 28, 1938, which grieved him deeply.

An exceptional presentation copy from General de Gaulle of his essential and visionary work on military strategy—a significant testimonial linking two independent spirits who revolutionised the theoretical understanding of national defence.

Autograph letter signed by Charles de Gaulle, dated and addressed to his cook Augustine Bastide, who served him from 1940 to 1958, 13 lines in black ink on his headed paper.
Fold marks inherent to postal handling.
The de Gaulles had taken in the recipient of this letter, Augustine Bastide, upon their arrival in London. Of Provençal origin, she served the family from 1940 to 1958 first in Great Britain then in France. At the de Gaulle couple's table in an England severely affected by rationing, one could then find rabbits, winkles, and other frogs. The "outspoken Southerner" would remain in the general's service for nearly twenty years, sometimes causing hilarity in the stoic head of state:

« En 1946, alors qu'il venait de quitter le pouvoir volontairement, il lui a lancé : "Vous voyez Augustine, la politique c'est plus décevant que le travail aux fourneaux". Alors, les mains aux hanches, elle a rétorqué : "Mais général, pourquoi ne vous décidez-vous donc pas à rendre définitivement votre tablier ?" Mon père n'a pu se retenir de rire » ("In 1946, when he had just voluntarily left power, he said to her: 'You see Augustine, politics is more disappointing than working at the stove'. Then, hands on her hips, she retorted: 'But General, why don't you decide to hang up your apron for good?' My father couldn't help but laugh")
(Philippe de Gaulle, De Gaulle mon père) 

Autograph letter dated and signed by Charles de Gaulle, addressed to his cook Augustine Bastide, who served him from 1940 to 1958. 21 lines in black ink on his headed paper.

Fold mark inherent to postal folding, minor tears of no consequence at the left and right margins of the central fold.

General de Gaulle thanks her : "I was very touched by the birthday wishes you thought to send me...". He shares the same considerations as his correspondent concerning the role that France must embody on the political level : "You know that, on this matter, my feelings are yours and that, despite the powerlessness and baseness of the present, I do not despair of the future."

The de Gaulles had taken in the recipient of this letter, Augustine Bastide, upon their arrival in London. Of Provençal origin she served the family from 1940 to 1958 first in Great Britain then in France. At the table of the de Gaulle couple in an England severely affected by rationing, one could then find rabbits, periwinkles, and other frogs. The "outspoken Southerner" would remain in the general's service for nearly twenty years, sometimes provoking hilarity from the stoic head of state : 


In 1946, when he had just voluntarily left power, he said to her : "You see Augustine, politics is more disappointing than working at the stoves."  Then, hands on her hips, she retorted : "But general, why don't you decide to hang up your apron for good ?" My father could not help but laugh (Philippe de Gaulle, De Gaulle mon père) 

First edition on ordinary paper.
Small tears repaired at head and foot of spine.
Half black morocco binding, smooth spine, gilt date at foot, decorative abstract patterned paper boards, blue paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, binding signed Thomas Boichot.
Rare and precious autograph inscription signed by Charles De Gaulle on this text which he dedicated to Marshal Pétain: "A mon ami Louis Borel en souvenir de ses précieux conseils et de sa fidélité. Avec mon bien cordial témoignage. 7 octobre 1938. Charles." (To my friend Louis Borel in remembrance of his precious advice and his loyalty. With my most cordial testimony. October 7, 1938. Charles.)

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on pure laid paper, the only large paper copies.

Autograph presentation inscription dated and signed by Charles de Gaulle: "Pour J. Emery, bien cordialement ! C. de Gaulle. 25.2.61."

A fine and rare large paper copy with autograph presentation inscription signed by Charles de Gaulle.

Rare pre-first edition offprint of Charles de Gaulle's article Les Origines de l'armée française, published in issue 520 of the Revue d'Infanterie in January 1936. This 44-page text will be entirely reprinted two years later as the first chapter of his celebrated work La France et son armée, published by Plon in 1938. Our copy is enriched with an autograph inscription signed by the author "to M. Jean Auburtin": "With profound and faithful friendship. C. de Gaulle."

Blue wrappers slightly sunned at extremities, spine and upper joint rebacked, minor losses to spine, vertical crease probably from mailing, old creases to upper right corners, some ink stains on lower wrapper, old stamp affixed and partially torn on same wrapper.

First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on hollande paper, deluxe issue (only the first volume numbered).
Each volume includes a historical introduction by Philippe De Gaulle.
Ex-libris pasted to the front of each volume.
A very fine copy with wide margins, complete in twelve volumes of this important work, commencing in 1905 and concluding in April 1969.

First edition, one of 1550 numbered copies on roto blanc Aussèdat paper printed under sky blue covers.
Spine of the third volume and boards marginally sunned, a small tear at the foot of the spine of the first volume, otherwise a handsome set.
Our copy is enhanced with a visiting card by Charles De Gaulle mounted on a stub in the first volume on which he added these words: "Merci, bien sincèrement de la sympathie que vous m'avez témoignée. C.G." ["Thank you, very sincerely for the sympathy you have shown me. C.G."].
Also mounted on a stub below the card, we include the envelope stamped by the Presidency of the Republic and addressed to Claude Morgan, recipient of the visiting card (postmarked January 19, 1960).

Original albumen portrait of Charles de Gaulle. Minor rubbing to the edges of the cardboard mount, not affecting either the photograph nor the inscription.

Exceptional inscribed portrait dated 16 February 1943 and signed by Charles de Gaulle on the mount: "Au Capitaine [Jean] Pompei, / mon bon compagnon! / 16/2/43 C. de Gaulle".

De Gaulle inscribed his portrait in London to a war hero and close supporter, “one of the very few fighters of Free France who had the rare opportunity of attending his own funeral” (Pierre Billotte). Before joining de Gaulle in London, Jean Pompei had been reported missing and presumed dead after an air battle in May 1941 over Tobruk, Libya. Wounded and rescued in the desert by Bedouins, he crossed three hundred kilometres through enemy territory before “reappearing safe and sound during the service held in his memory” (Philippe de Gaulle).

First edition, one of the numbered copies on Alfa Cellunaf reserved for veterans of Free France and members of the resistance and combatant associations of the 1939–1945 war.
Pleasant set.
Fine autograph inscription signed by General De Gaulle: "A madame Creteau en souvenir de la grande épreuve, en mémoire de son brave fils qui fut 'des miens'. Respectueusement. C. De Gaulle. 16.2.55".

“'The generals who for many years have commanded the French armies have formed a Government. That Government, alleging that our armies have been defeated, has opened negotiations with the enemy to put an end to the fighting'.
Certainly, we have been, we continue to be, swamped by the mechanized force, both on land and in the air, of the enemy.
So much more than their numbers, it is the tanks, the airplanes and the tactics of the Germans that have made us retreat. It is the tanks, the airplanes and the tactics of the Germans that have taken our leaders by surprise, to the point of leading them to where they are today.
But has the final word been spoken? Should hope be abandoned? Is this defeat definitive? No!
Believe me, I speak to you with full knowledge of the facts and tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us to a day of victory.
For France is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of United States.
his war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not finished by the battle of France. This war is a world wide war. All the faults, all the delays, all the suffering, do not prevent there being, in the world, all the necessary means to one day crush our enemies. Vanquished today by mechanical force, we will be able to overcome in the future by a superior mechanical force. The destiny of the world lies here.
I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and French soldiers who are located in British territory or who would come there with their weapons or without their weapons, I invite the engineers and the special workers of armament industries who are located in British territory or who would come there, to put themselves in contact with me.
Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished.
Tomorrow, like today, I will speak on the radio in London.
London, 18 June 1940”.

15 août 1940 | 18.6 x 24.6 cm & 16 x 20 cm | loose leaves under custom slipcase
First edition of the first and only issue to appear of the Bulletin Officiel de la France Libre which, as well as reproducing the Affiche à tous les Français, presented for the first time the original text of the Appeal of the 18th June, the agreement of the 7th August 1940 between General de Gaulle and Winston Churchill and the legal bases of the «Free French» government thus brought into being. Remarkably rare, this first official organ of Free France was without doubt distributed in a very small number of copies, essentially aimed at the members of this nascent government, seeking legitimacy.
The two documents are arranged in a full bleu de France morocco box, author and title engraved in gilt on the first board, magnetic fastener, interior lined with brown lamb, made-to-measure rhodoïds protecting and presenting the leaves, remarkable box signed by Thomas Boichot.
Highly symbolic, this bulletin brings together the three foundational elements of the new French State: the General's declaration, the recognition of other countries, and the presentation of an organized government.
Published only on the 15th August, the bulletin was composed from the times of the signature of the British agreement on, which was the decisive element allowing the French Resistance to assert itself.
«With this agreement, General de Gaulle was officially recognized as 'leader of the Free French' by his British allies. It was now a case of giving the Free French the form of a government in exile. This is the task to which René Cassin has set himself; an eminent lawyer who rallied to the General's cause a few days after the Call of the 18th June. This enormous task cannot be achieved quickly. Nonetheless, Free France has to define and communicate the rules of its functioning. This is why this Bulletin Officiel des Forces Françaises Libres appeared on the 15th August, taking the form of an official publication of the French Republic without actually using any of its symbols.» (in Résistance 09/10, published by the Musée National de la Résistance). It was later in the Journal Officiel de la France Libre that every month from January 1941 the laws and decrees organizing Free France were published.
However, the key part of this bulletin refers to a past event as yet unpublicized. As the article in Résistance 09/10 highlights, «this first issue carried on its first page, under the heading 'General de Gaulle recognized by the British Government' the first Appeal by the General and the text of the poster that was posted on the walls of England.» Despite the fact that the bulletin appeared almost two months after the Appeal of 18th June, the text of the first and most important of de Gaulle's speeches is here published for the first time in its original version, as the General wrote it. The radio version was, in fact, modified at the request of the British Government in order to keep options open if the Pétain government refused to sign the armistice.
In his memoirs, de Gaulle noted this initial precaution: «nonetheless, while taking my first steps along the path of this unprecedented career, I had the duty of making sure that no power with more claim than mine was ready to put France and the Empire back into the fight. Before the armistice was in effect, one could still imagine, despite all evidence to the contrary, that the Bordeaux government would in the end choose war. Even if it was the slimmest change, we had to entertain it.»
Thus on the 18th June 1940, four days before Pétain signed the armistice, the General's speech opens on this false note of union:
«The French government has asked the enemy under what honorable conditions a ceasefire would be possible. It has declared that if these conditions were contrary to the honor, dignity and independence of France, the fight must go on.»
It was this version that was printed in the very few French papers that took note of this historic event, Le Petit Provençal and Le Petit Marseillais of the 19th June 1940. The British press (he Times and he Daily Express) published the English translation of the speech written by the General and distributed by the Ministry of Information (MOI) rather than the radio version.
«From London, General de Gaulle broadcasts in the evening an appeal to the French people not to cease resistance. He says: 'The generals who for many years have commanded the French armies have formed a Government. That Government, alleging that our armies have been defeated, has opened negotiations with the enemy to put an end to the fighting'.»
It was thus in the Bulletin Officiel des Forces Françaises Libres that the original text of General de Gaulle's first major speech was finally printed on the 15th August 1940 and which – though it was not the spoken version – was to become the historic text of the «Appel du 18 juin».
(The parts of the radio speech that were cut from publication in Le Petit Provençal are in bold):
«'The generals who for many years have commanded the French armies have formed a Government. That Government, alleging that our armies have been defeated, has opened negotiations with the enemy to put an end to the fighting'.
Certainly, we have been, we continue to be, swamped by the mechanized force, both on land and in the air, of the enemy.
So much more than their numbers, it is the tanks, the airplanes and the tactics of the Germans that have made us retreat. It is the tanks, the airplanes and the tactics of the Germans that have taken our leaders by surprise, o the point of leading them to where they are today.
But has the final word been spoken? Should hope be abandoned? Is this defeat definitive? No!
Believe me, I speak to you with full knowledge of the facts and tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us to a day of victory.
For France is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with he British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of United States.
his war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not finished by the battle of France. This war is a world wide war. All the faults, all the delays, all the suffering, do not prevent there being, in the world, all the necessary means to one day crush our enemies. Vanquished today by mechanical force, we will be able to overcome in the future by a superior mechanical force. The destiny of the world lies here.
I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and French soldiers who are located in British territory or who would come there with their weapons or without their weapons, I invite the engineers and the special workers of armament industries who are located in British territory or who would come there, to put themselves in contact with me.
Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished.
omorrow, like today, I will speak on the radio in London.
London, 18 June 1940».
This copy, in an exceptional state of conservation, is addressed in a manuscript pencil note on the verso of the final leaf to one of the very first soldiers to have joined de Gaulle in London in July 1940, the airman Julien Le Tessier, (Resistance ID number: GR16P368409), an early member of the Free French Air Force, who was to become a training Lieutenant, training pilots during the war; he was later given the Légion d'Honneur.
Also included is the very rare invitation card to the first anniversary celebrations
for the Appeal of the 18th June organized by the «Français de Grande-Bretagne» at the Royal Albert Hall, on the 18 June 1941.
Much more than a commemoration, this «anniversary» in the very thick of the war, was a major political act and a celebration of the General who, in the space of a year, had managed to unite around him the French Resistance forces and impose the sovereignty of the Free French.
We have found only five copies of this bulletin, all in institutions in France and abroad: Musée de l'ordre de la Libération, Bibliothèque nationale de France
Tel Aviv University, Israel, Harvard University, Stanford University, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.

First edition, one of numbered copies on alfa paper for each copy, reserved to the veterans of the France Libre and members of Resistants associations.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Charles De Gaulle to Raymond Ducrocq : "en souvenir de la grande épreuve..."
Small tears without lack in the margin of a cover.
A nice copy with a moving autograph inscription signed.