Paul LÉAUTAUD

First edition, one of 50 copies printed on Madagascar paper, ours being one of 20 hors commerce copies, from the deluxe issue.

A handsome copy.

First edition, one of 944 numbered copies on pur fil paper, ours one of the 30 hors commerce copies.
Our hors commerce copy bearing the letter "b" was traditionally reserved for Jean Schlumberger, one of the 6 founders of the Nrf.
Spine lightly sunned, otherwise a handsome copy complete with its publisher's slip.
Autograph inscription signed by Paul Léautaud to Jean Schlumberger.
Below the autograph inscription, Jean Schlumberger has written this note, as a gift to his friend Joseph Breitbach: "Et pour l'amusement de J.B. JS."
Provenance: from the libraries of Jean Schlumberger then Joseph Breitbach.
In 1929, the German writer and francophile Joseph Breitbach came to France and settled in Paris two years later. His books banned in Germany from 1933, he then applied for French nationality in 1937 while returning his German passport, making him stateless. Arrested in 1939 as a German native, Jean Schlumberger would have him released, which sealed the beginning of a long friendship.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Autograph inscription signed by Paul Leautaud to Madame Fiévée.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Half red sheep binding, spine lightly faded with four raised bands showing minor rubbing of no consequence, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, front wrapper preserved, modest binding.
Brief but fine autograph inscription signed by Paul Leautaud: "A Louis Mandin"drial esclave", son camarade d'esclavage. P. Léautaud."

First edition on ordinary paper.
Spine warped, one tear reglued on a joint, some minor foxing, paper yellowed as usual.
Work illustrated with a photographic portrait of Henri de Régnier as frontispiece, a manuscript facsimile as well as typographical ornaments by Manuel Orazi.
Signed autograph inscription by Paul Léautaud: "A Henri Chatelain, cet exercice." ["To Henri Chatelain, this exercise."]

Autograph letter by Paul Léautaud signed with his pen name Maurice Boissard, his pseudonym at the Mercure de France, 15 lines in black ink written on a double sheet with letterhead and vignette of the Mercure de France where he worked for more than thirty years.
Léautaud writes to Marcel Lebarbier, his publisher at Editions de la Belle Page, who had published earlier that year his volume of chronicles entitled Villégiature. He asks for his author's royalties:
« Je n'ai votre lettre que ce matin mercredi. On peut très bien faire un mandat carte au nom de Maurice Boissard au Mercure. Le facteur me l'apportera fort bien, car on me l'enverra dans mon bureau aussitôt. Même s'il fallait toucher à la poste qui ne manque pas d'enveloppes à mon nom. Mais une chose plus simple : vous venez à Paris prochainement ? Vous pourrez m'apporter mes droits vous-même et je vous donnerai un reçu. Mais le mandat carte est très possible, si cela va mieux dans vos arrangements. Je n'ai pas écrit à Madame Lebarbier, cette affaire n'étant pas à un jour près.» ["I only received your letter this morning, Wednesday. One can very well make a money order card in the name of Maurice Boissard at the Mercure. The postman will bring it to me quite well, as they will send it to my office immediately. Even if one had to collect it at the post office which does not lack envelopes in my name. But something simpler: are you coming to Paris soon? You could bring me my royalties yourself and I will give you a receipt. But the money order card is very possible, if that works better with your arrangements. I did not write to Madame Lebarbier, this matter not being urgent."]

First edition, one of 125 numbered copies on Vidalon paper.
Half black morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands, gilt date at foot, gilt fillets on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed Laurent.
Handsome copy beautifully executed.
Work illustrated, as frontispiece, with an original lithograph by Edouard Vuillard representing the author.

New edition, one of 69 numbered copies on Ingres laid paper, deluxe issue.
Introduction by Edith Silve.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Edith Silve: "A monsieur Baguenier Désormeaux, ce livre où l'on voit bien comment Léautaud sut être protecteur de toutes... les bêtes !" ["To Monsieur Baguenier Désormeaux, this book where one can clearly see how Léautaud knew how to be protector of all... the animals!"]

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on pure Madagascar thread, head print.
Bookplate pasted on the back of the first cover.
Tiny foxinges on the head without consequence, preserved witnesses, beautiful copy.

First edition, one of 52 numbered copies on Japan, deluxe copies ("tirage de tête").
Introduction by Marie Dormoy.
Nice copy.

First edition, one of 54 numbered copies on Japon nacré paper, deluxe copy.
Spine lightly sunned, a small crease at foot of front cover, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition, one of the review copies service.
Small, non-serious spots on the first board.
Autograph dedication signed by Paul Leautaud.

First edition, one of 162 numbered copies on pur fil paper, deluxe copies after 52 on Montval.
Light foxing affecting mainly the edges, handsome copy.

First edition, one of 427 numbered copies on Rives laid paper, the only deluxe copies after 41 Japan.
A very slight and harmless tear to the head of the spine, handsome copy.

Rare first edition on ordinary paper of the author's first book, with only 6 Holland deluxe copies printed.
Bradel binding in half sand-colored cloth, smooth spine decorated with gilt typographical motif, double fillet and gilt date at foot, olive shagreen title-label partially faded and marginally rubbed, marbled paper boards, one upper corner slightly bumped without gravity, contemporary binding.
Copy slightly trimmed.

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on Rives vellum, ours one of the few hors commerce copies, the only printing with 10 on Arches.
The work illustrated with 4 original etchings by André Dignimont.
Minimal loss to head of spine.
Rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on vélin de Rives, ours one of the few hors commerce copies, the only issue with 10 Arches.
Illustrated with 3 original etchings by Gabriel Fournier.
A cut to the front cover also affecting the following pages up to the frontispiece etching and title page.

First edition of which no deluxe copies are mentioned.
Fine autograph inscription signed by the author to Paul Léautaud, who wrote a date in pencil below, probably that of receiving this work.
Spine and covers slightly faded.

First edition, one of 900 numbered copies on vélin blanc paper.
A good copy.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on pur fil de Madagascar, tirage de tête.
Tiny foxings to the head, insignificant, edges preserved, a very good copy.

Autograph letter signed by Paul Léautaud addressed to Marcel Lebarbier, his publisher at Editions de la Belle Page, 29 lines in black ink written on a double sheet with letterhead and vignette of Mercure de France where he worked for more than thirty years.
Léautaud had published earlier that year his volume of chronicles entitled Villégiature at Editions de la Belle Page.
«Vous êtes décidément une merveille d'éditeur, avec ce supplément de droits. vous me donnerez cela quand vous aurez l'occasion de venir à Paris - où j'irai le chercher rue de Vaugirard. Je vais plusieurs fois par semaine à deux pas de là.
Je ne suis pas près d'aller à Lisieux. Je suis empêtré dans une affaire d'habitation. Le Sénat a enlevé dans la loi sur le loyers qui vient d'être prolongée, tout ce qui était favorable aux locataires, au sujet du droit de reprise par ces propriétaires, en supprimant pour cs derniers l'obligation rigoureuse de faire la preuve de la véracité de cette reprise - obligation qui figurait dans le texte établi par la Chambre. Je prévois dons que uje ne l'emporterai pas et que je devrai déguerpir. Je me demande comment je me tirerai d'affaire avec toute ma famille à quatre pattes. Alors, allez me promener, vous de[...]. J'espère bien cependant que ce n'est que partie remise et que je pourrai un jour m'offrir ce plaisir. Je vois que de votre côté vous vous promenez souvent part de Lisieux. Avez-vous de la chance !
Duhamel[?] m'a dit il y a quelques jours qu'il a rencontré le Révérend "qui lui plait beaucoup, tout à fait". Dites-le à l'intéressé cela l'amusera.» ["You are decidedly a wonderful publisher, with this additional payment. You can give me that when you have the occasion to come to Paris - or I'll go fetch it on rue de Vaugirard. I go several times a week just steps away from there.
I'm not about to go to Lisieux. I'm entangled in a housing matter. The Senate has removed from the rent law that has just been extended, everything that was favorable to tenants, regarding the right of repossession by these owners, by eliminating for the latter the strict obligation to prove the veracity of this repossession - an obligation that appeared in the text established by the Chamber. I therefore foresee that I will not prevail and that I will have to move out. I wonder how I'll manage with my whole four-legged family. So, go take a walk, you [...]. I hope however that this is only postponed and that I will be able one day to afford myself this pleasure. I see that on your side you often walk around Lisieux. How lucky you are!
Duhamel[?] told me a few days ago that he met the Reverend 'who pleases him very much, completely.' Tell the interested party, it will amuse him."]

First edition from which it was not drawn from large papers.
About P. Léautaud, F. Carco, J. Chardonne, J. Cocteau, Colette, J. Giraudoux, P. Drieu la Rochelle, G. Simenon ...
Ink stains on the back, nice interior condition.
Autograph signed by Georges Charensol to Paul Léautaud who wrote a date in colored pencil, probably the date of receipt of the work.

Autograph letter by Paul Léautaud signed by his pen name Maurice Broissard, written on a sheetlet and vignette of the Mercure de France where he officiated for more than thirty years .
Léautaud wrote to Marcel Lebarbier, his publisher of the Editions de la Belle Page, who had published a year earlier his volume of chronicles entitled Villégiature . He will also sign Maurice Boissard, his pseudonym of the Mercure de France.
" February 11, 1926
I went in [] to take the press copies. I received 4 Arches paper. Do you want me [] on this point: [] you at [] the sums paid by you to your authors. These are sums paid in 1925, which is my case if I am not mistaken. I still have [] [] as dwelling. Very [difficult?] And above all, so much above my lack of money. If I did not have to make a living.
Sincerely yours,
Maurice Boissard »

Autograph letter signed by Paul Léautaud written on a sheetlet and vignette of the Mercure de France where he officiated for more than thirty years .
He signed Maurice Boissard, his famous pen name of the time of the rubric of the theaters at the Mercure .

" January 1 , 1926
Ah! Well, Monsieur Lebarbin, you do not often give me news of certain copies that I had to go to take rue de Vaugirard. Do you know that I'm struggling with tenant difficulties. I run high risk of being out soon with all my menagerie. I do not laugh.

Sincerely yours
Maurice Boissard »

Autograph letter by Paul Léautaud signed by his pen name Maurice Broissard, written on a sheetlet and vignette of the Mercure de France where he officiated for more than thirty years .
Léautaud speaks to Marcel Lebarbier, his publisher of the Belle Page Editions, which will publish his volumes of Mélange and Villégiature chronicles.

" October 5 , 1925
Take care, I beg you, to use the little procedure that you regulate me: so many points? only missing letters. So-called suspension points usually include three points. Do not put one more

Maurice Boissard »

First edition on current paper.
Pleasant copy, business card of the author attached.
Autograph signed by one of the collaborators of the hourglass editions to Paul Léautaud.

First edition, a service de presse (advance) copy.
Autograph inscription from Paul Leautaud to Frédéric Lefèvre.

First edition on current paper.
Iconography.
Some small minor bites affecting mainly the photographs representing André Gide.
Full copy of his prayer to insert.
Precious autograph dedication signed by Maurice Sachs to Paul Léautaud.

First edition, one of 1300 numbered copies, the only deluxe copies along with 52 on Japan paper. Introduction by Marie Dormoy. Fine copy.

First edition, one of 1550 numbered copies on vellum, the only deluxe copies along with 54 on Japan paper.
Spine very lightly sunned without consequence, minimal worming without consequence at foot of first cover, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition, one of 305 numbered copies on Arches paper, the only printing with 15 Japan and 20 Holland copies.
Work illustrated with a lithograph by Berthold Mann as frontispiece.
Small worming on the lightly and partially shaded endpapers.

First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Illustrated.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 944 numbered copies on wove paper, the only deluxe copies with 109 reimposed.

First edition on ordinary paper, only 15 deluxe copies were printed.
Fine autograph inscription signed by the author to Paul Léautaud on a loose slip.
Handsome copy despite a tiny marginal lack affecting the first cover.

First edition printed on ordinary paper, false statement of second edition, only 20 Hollande deluxe copies were printed.
Autograph inscription signed by François de Curel to Paul Léautaud.
Covers lightly soiled, some foxing.

First edition on ordinary paper for 16 volumes, new edition for the other three.
Handsome and moving autograph inscription signed by Marie Dormoy on each copy.
Some spine slightly sunned, but otherwise a good set.