Maurice DRUON

First edition, with no deluxe-paper copies printed.
Illustrations.

A handsome copy despite the slightly faded spine.

Precious and fine signed presentation copy from Louis Aragon to Maurice Druon: "A Maurice Druon, pour qu'il sache que de temps je m'égarée dans Césarée. [sic] Louis".

First collective edition on ordinary paper.

Pleasing copy.

Valuable presentation copy signed by Louis Aragon: "A Maurice Druon, pour n'en pas perdre l'habitude. Louis."

 

First edition, one of 52 copies printed on Montval paper, ours being the second of 12 hors commerce copies, a deluxe issue.

Half anthracite-grey long-grained morocco, smooth spine lettered with the author’s name, title, date, and the palladium-stamped inscription “EXEMPLAIRE J. KESSEL”, abstract patterned paper boards, dove-grey paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, binding signed by Thomas Boichot.

Some light foxing mainly affecting the first and last leaves.

Exceptional and deeply moving full-page signed presentation inscription from Maurice Druon to Joseph Kessel: “Il fallait bien, mon grand Jef, que le premier livre que je t'envoie depuis que tu es Immortel soit les mémoires de Zeus. Je remercie les Destins de m'avoir donné un tel oncle et d'avoir permis que nous nous aimions si bien. Je t'embrasse. Maurice Mai 1963.”

First edition, one of 160 hors commerce copies on Lana vellum, ours being one of 60 hors commerce copies, the only deluxe issue.

Half long-grain black morocco binding, smooth spine lettered with the author’s name, title, date, and the palladium inscription “EX. JOSEPH KESSEL 1958”, wood-patterned paper boards, grey endpapers and pastedowns, wrappers and spine preserved, binding signed by Thomas Boichot.

Some foxing, mainly affecting the wrappers and the first and last leaves.

Exceptional and moving signed autograph presentation from Maurice Druon to Joseph Kessel: "A toi mon grand Jef, cet Alexandre le grand né lui aussi sous le signe du Lion en même temps que du Bélier et que tu as aidé de tes conseils et de ton exemple en t'embrassant très fort. Maurice Juin 58"

First edition, one of 95 hors commerce copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe paper issue.

Half fawn morocco binding, smooth spine with gilt lettering of the author's name, title, date, and the mention “EX. J. KESSEL”, fawn paper boards, rust-colored endpapers and pastedowns, original covers and spine preserved, binding signed by Thomas Boichot.

Some foxing mainly affecting the covers as well as the first and last leaves.

Exceptional and moving signed autograph inscription from Maurice Druon to Joseph Kessel: "A toi mon grand Jef, prince des Cavaliers, avec la joie de t'avoir rejoint parmi les Immortels, cette histoire de famille en t'embrassant pour tous les jours des hommes. Maurice 1967."

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies along with a few hors commerce also printed on alfa.
Fine copy.

Original black and white photograph depicting Maurice Druon in his Académie Française regalia.

A fine copy. Enclosed is the handwritten envelope addressed to the recipient by Maurice Druon.

Inscribed and signed by Maurice Druon in blue ink in the right margin of the photograph: "Avec mes meilleurs souhaits Druon."

Provenance: from the collection of the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.

First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on Annonay chiffon paper for the first volume, and one of 120 numbered copies on Johannot laid paper for the following two, the only deluxe paper copies for the first volume and the limited issue for the other two.
A very handsome and rare set of this trilogy, the first volume of which—winner of the 1948 Prix Goncourt—was masterfully adapted for the screen ten years later by Denys de La Patellière, with an illustrious cast including Jean Gabin, Pierre Brasseur, Bernard Blier and Jean Desailly, featuring dialogue by Michel Audiard.

First edition, with no deluxe copies printed.

A handsome copy.

Inscribed and signed by Maurice to Jacques Chaban-Delmas and his wife Micheline: "pour leur porter le signe de mon amitié fidèle..."