Roger NIMIER

First edition printed in 165 copies numbered and signed on Arches wove paper by André Parinaud, president of the Association des Cahiers Roger Nimier.
Publisher’s slipcase and chemise bound in full indigo cloth, smooth spine.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally faded, without consequence.
A pleasant and scarce copy.
This copy includes its original five-colour lithograph by Bengt Lindström, signed by the artist.
Handwritten signature of André Parinaud at the colophon.
A moving and rare copy, being the personal copy of Nadine Nimier, wife and widow of Roger Nimier.

Delightful, likely unpublished, handwritten letter signed by an enigmatic Marijo, a chambermaid by trade, who in a Rabelaisian tone and a long string of puns writes from a hotel in Réalmont (Tarn) to the hussar Roger Nimier at his Paris office at La N.R.F.
20 lines on a squared sheet.

Though the letter is unmistakably by Antoine Blondin, it is unlikely to be in his hand, and one of his companions probably lent his own to this farcical piece. The writer, disguised as Marijo, a distinctly illiterate maid, recounts her sexual exploits with "Monsieur Antouane".
A fine example of the anarchic and mischievous spirit that guided the not always steady, but always inebriated, steps of Antoine Blondin, and of the boisterous and fraternal friendship that bound him to Roger Nimier.
In a humorous and delightfully offbeat tone, Blondin composes in a wildly phonetic and approximate spelling a pornographic tale told from the point of view of a hotel maid in whose establishment he is staying. Here follows the text, faithfully transcribed with all its errors: the maid recounts to her "Monsieur Rogeais [Nimier]" an inebriated evening with "Monsieur Antouane [Blondin]" at a hotel: "ce grand pendard [...] me fout sondard en cul. Je vous et cris à quat patte passqui pas raie quessa dit Latte les Saints Quetaires ou les cinq terres de mon peti cul. Je messe culse mai genêt pas beau cou d'ortograf si j'ai du temps pet rarement". Roger Nimier, his drinking and feasting companion, is kept informed of his friend’s adventures through the witty turns of phrase Blondin puts in the mouth of this illiterate maid: "Hyères souar ou Pluto Sète nuids, Monsieur Antouane m'affet absorbet une bouteille de Pépère aide sic ! Onna bien riz parce queue cetté dans ma titte chatte qu'il mella mise".
Playing the bohemian and the carefree spirit, Blondin ultimately embraced his image as a jovial rascal, a poet fond of drink and merriment: "Sannan pêche pas con panse à vous. Un petit têtre qui vous susse en rêve", he—or she—signs at the end of the letter.

Speaking of the deep friendship he bore Roger Nimier and of the so-called myth of the Hussards, Blondin told Emmanuel Legeard: “It’s the ‘Hussards’ who are an invention. A ‘Sartrian’ invention. In reality, the story is this: my friend Frémanger, who went into publishing, had only one author, Jacques Laurent, and only one employee—me. Laurent wrote, and I tied up the parcels of books. So we knew each other, we were friends, and moreover... moreover, Roger Nimier was my best friend. I saw Nimier every day. I saw him every day for thirteen years. But Laurent and Nimier never saw each other. They had very different outlooks. We were brought together only once. We met on rue Marbeuf, at the Quirinal, for lunch. We talked about Italian wines and how to cook pasta. For two hours.”

Blondin encloses a newspaper clipping of one of his L’Équipe articles on a car race, along with a card from the Hôtel-Restaurant Noël Galinier in Réalmont, on which is written the menu of his meal: “Ecrevisses / Saumon / Côtelettes d’agneau / Cèpes / Conneries”. “Vins: Pas identifiés.”
Envelope included.

The writer of France’s carnal spirit reveals through this letter to his closest friend a facet of his singular and complex inner world.

Long and exceptional autograph letter signed by Antoine Blondin, addressed to fellow Hussar Roger Nimier at his home on rue de Coëtlogon.
Blondin plans a gargantuan feast, detailing at length the wines to be served for each guest, while indulging in witty reflections on man’s alcoholic ontology: "Si tu avais simplement lu 'Tiens, voilà du Bouddha !' d'Hubert Robert tu saurais : [...] que cet homme dualiste, sans unité intérieure, a besoin de Bourgogne et de Bordeaux."
56 lines on two folded leaves.
Envelope enclosed.
Published in À mes prochains: lettres, 1943-1984, ed. Alain Cresciucci, 2009, p. 84.
A fine expression of the anarchic spirit that so often guided Antoine Blondin’s inebriated steps, and of the boisterous friendship that bound him to Roger Nimier.
In this remarkable letter to his dear "Pomme à l’eau" Nimier, the writer prepares a memorable soirée. The inveterate drinker—who often alarmed his guests with his bibulous antics—once declared: "Je ne suis pas un écrivain qui boit, je suis un buveur qui écrit." In this letter, he pairs an astonishing array of wines with the dishes of the meal, and, ever considerate of his guests, adds: "Question des vins, il faut compter avec les personnalités, ne pas travailler dans l'absolu, chercher des rimes. Je crains que Popaul n'ait le chanfrein un peu porté sur le bouquet cosmopolite, dans le genre cocktail extra-chlorydrique à se faire éclater l'ampoule de Vater." Ever attentive to his future guests, he adjusts his oenological marathon: "Considérons donc que le champagne de dessert [...] qui sent un peu la première communion, sauf s'il est administré en injections, risquerait d'indisposer le premier et d'achever le second. Proscrivons jusqu'aux cigares, puisqu'aussi bien nos lascars ne sont pas assez adultes pour se déglacer avec les bières." He waxes lyrical on Swiss Sylvaner and Sauternes, and concludes his letter with a brilliant remark on the great Médocs: "N'oublie pas, pourtant, qu'à côté de Margaux, il y a Lafite et que Latour n'est jamais loin. Tu as peut-être carencé rapidement sur les Côtes de Nuits ? Et pourquoi pas les deux ?"
Speaking of the profound friendship that united Blondin and Nimier and of the myth of the Hussars, Blondin told Emmanuel Legeard: « Ce sont les 'hussards' qui sont une invention. Une invention 'sartrienne'. En réalité, l'histoire, c'est mon ami Frémanger, qui s'était lancé dans l'édition, qui avait un seul auteur, c'était Jacques Laurent, et un seul employé, c'était moi. Laurent écrivait, et moi je ficelais les paquets de livres. Donc on se connaissait, on était amis, et d'autre part... d'autre part, Roger Nimier était mon meilleur ami. Nimier, je le voyais tous les jours. Je l'ai vu tous les jours pendant treize ans. Mais Laurent et Nimier ne se fréquentaient pas du tout. Ils avaient des conceptions très différentes. On n'a été réunis qu'une seule fois. On s'est retrouvés rue Marbeuf, au Quirinal, pour déjeuner. On a discuté de vins italiens et de la cuisson des nouilles. Pendant deux heures."
A splendid letter from Blondin, the prince of the bottle, turning himself into a whimsical sommelier.

First edition, one of 48 copies numbered on pur fil, ours being one of 8 lettered hors commerce copies, printed on large paper.
A fine and rare copy of this foundational text of the Hussards literary movement, which brought together around Roger Nimier and Antoine Blondin Jacques Laurent, Kléber Haedens, Stephen Hecquet, Michel Déon...
Moving provenance: from the library of Nadine Nimier, wife and widow of Roger Nimier.

First edition, one of the review copies.
A pleasant copy.
Fine signed autograph inscription from Roger Nimier to Jean Paulhan: "Pour Jean Paulhan, il aimait Bernanos, Roger Nimier les admire et les aime tous les deux."

Fierce autograph letter signed, addressed to Jacques Chardonne—though not named—comprising 30 lines in black ink on letterhead of the journal Le Nouveau Fémina, concerning cultural life and current political affairs.

Folding marks inherent to mailing, a black ink stain not affecting the text, and two small holes: the first causing the loss of one letter—the second "e" in Hecquet; the second resulting in the loss of the word "il".

"Les dernières lettres sont épatantes. Et courtes, comme il fallait pour ne pas trop s'éloigner du drame. Les oeuvres complètes de Léon Blum vont paraître chez Albin Michel. On va voir. Anatole de Monzie, homme d'une très belle intelligence n'a rien écrit de fameux. Aujourd'hui, le moins ignare s'appelle Ramadier (Paul Ramadier, several times a minister after the Liberation) Il n'a pas été réélu. C'est un franc-maçon acharné. Mendès-France est un marchand de cravates me dit Stephen Hecqu[e]t. [Il] faut supprimer son nom de ma dernière lettre (celle qui est si longue, où je parle des hommes politiques susceptibles d'écrire). A bientôt. Roger Nimier."

First edition, one of 95 numbered copies on pur fil, the deluxe copies after 18 on Holland paper.
A handsome copy despite the spine very slightly yellowed without consequence.

Typed letter signed by André Malraux to Roger Nimier sent from his home in Boulogne, Malraux's signature at the bottom of the letter in blue ink.
A small tear in the right margin of the letter, crease marks inherent to folding for mailing.
André Malraux shows himself in perfect agreement with Roger Nimier regarding a joint project also including journalist André Parinaud.

Typed letter signed by André Malraux to Roger Nimier on Ministry of Information letterhead, Malraux's signature at the bottom of the letter in black ink.
Fold mark inherent to posting; envelope with typewritten address included, Ministry of Information stamp.
André Malraux responds to Roger Nimier regarding administrative matters concerning the Ministry of Information directed by André Malraux from November 21, 1945 to January 26, 1946 in the government presided over by Charles De Gaulle.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Contributions by Roger Nimer with an unpublished "Trois lettres des vingt ans", Jacques Brenner, Jacques Chardonne with unpublished correspondence with Roger Nimier, Marc Dambre, François Nourissier, Pierre de Boisdeffre, Eric Fauquet
Autograph inscription signed by Eric Fauquet to a friend named Marie-Thérèse on verso of front cover: "Chère Marie-Thérèse, cet incunable, provenance Marc Dambre. Les pages 131 sqq 199 sqq sont pour toi, l'auteur, E.F." ["Dear Marie-Thérèse, this incunable, provenance Marc Dambre. Pages 131 ff 199 ff are for you, the author, E.F."]
Marc Dambre having previously gifted this copy to Eric Fauquet with an inscription enclosed in a speech bubble at the end of the contents page.

First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Rare signed autograph inscription from Roger Nimier to Madame Lusini: "...l'auteur responsable" ["...the responsible author"].
Fine and rare copy of this founding text of the literary movement of the Hussards gathering around Roger Nimier and Antoine Blondin Jacques Laurent, Kléber Haedens, Stephen Hecquet, Michel Déon...

First edition in Czech, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Publisher's full gray cloth binding, smooth spine, with the illustrated dust jacket which has some marginal tears.
Provenance: from the library of Nadine Nimier, wife and widow of Roger Nimier.

First edition in Slovak, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Publisher's full gray cloth binding, smooth spine, with the illustrated dust jacket.
Provenance: from the library of Nadine Nimier, wife and widow of Roger Nimier.

First edition, one of 56 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
Preface by Paul Morand.
Fine and rare copy of this early novel refused by Gallimard in 1948 and published 20 years later.
Moving provenance: from the library of Nadine Nimier, wife and widow of Roger Nimier.
Accompanied by a letter on Gallimard letterhead from Suzanne Duconget informing Marie Nimier of the dispatch of copy No. 51 on deluxe paper of "L'Etrangère" by Roger Nimier.

First edition, one of 52 numbered copies on wove paper, the only deluxe copies.
Preface by Marcel Jouhandeau.
Fine copy.
Moving provenance: from the library of Nadine Nimier, wife and widow of Roger Nimier.

First edition, one of 58 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine very lightly sunned but without significance, handsome copy.

First edition, one of the 58 numbered copies on vélin d'Arches paper, the only deluxe copies ("grands papiers").
Very nice copy.

First edition, one of the 58 numbered copies on vélin d'Arches paper, the only deluxe copies ("grands papiers").
Nice copy.

First edition for which it was not drawn from great papers, one of the review copies service.
Yellowed paper as usually, a small tear in the foot of the back.
Rare copy of the first novel by Roger Nimier in which insolence, tenderness, political provocation will tip the main character of the Resistance to the Militia.
Beautiful autograph signed by Roger Nimier to Charles Orengo, journalist and creator of Editions du Rocher in 1943: "For Mr. Charles Orengo - now that Laudenbach shows him my letters, I dare to send him this novel.
It starts badly, but rest assured: it ends well. Roger Nimier with the appearance of his respect for his new publisher. "

First edition, one of 106 numbered copies on pur-fil paper, only deluxe copies ("tirage de tête") after 20 Holland paper.
Nice copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered non-commercial copies on light chamois vellum, only large papers after 48 "pur-fil" paper.
Skillful restorations at the head and foot of the back.
Rare and sought after.
Beautiful autograph dedication signed by Roger Nimier in the form of a humorous quatrain to Charles Orengo, journalist then creator of Editions du Rocher in 1943: "Farewell! Here is the bottle shovel / He disappeared at a turning point / And died there while she / Laughing at surprising fate. / For Charles Orengo with four beautiful verses by Roger Nimier. "

First edition on current paper.
Yellowed paper as usual, back very slightly insolated without gravity.
Autograph signed by Roger Nimier to: "... in memory of Opera ..."

First edition, one of 37 numbered copies on pur fil paper, this copy one of 12 hors commerce, the only grand papier (deluxe) copies.
Slight traces of sunning, not serious, on the spine.
Nice and rare copy.

First Edition printed 165 copies numbered on vellum Arches paper.
Shirt-box in full indigo canvas, smooth back.
Back and flat slightly and marginally discolored without gravity.
Nice and rare copy.
Our copy includes his original lithography in five colors by Bengt Lindström that he signed .
Handwritten signature of André Parinaud, president of the association of notebooks Roger Nimier, to the colophon.
Nice and rare copy.

first edition, one of the review copies service.
Autographed autograph dedication of the author of Roger Nimier to the lawyer Paul Lévy: "... the history of these walled ..."
Slightly insolated back with two small tears at the head and foot, yellowed paper as usual.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Spine wrinkled, covers soiled.

First edition, an advance (service de presse) copy.
Half brown morocco over marbled paper boards by P. Goy & C. Vilaine, spine in six compartments, pastedowns and endpapers of brown paper, covers and spine (slightly faded) preserved, top edge gilt, .
Handsome autograph inscription by Roger Nimier to his friend Alex Grall : "Ah, que de souffles aux provinces! Depuis la discussion qui ouvre "Allen", je me trompe toujours en citant ce vers. Raymond Dumay me le pardonne, comme doit le faire l'amateur "éclairé" cher to Valéry Larbaud. Roger Nimier."
A very good copy nicely bound.

First edition, one of 58 numbered copies on vélin d'Arches, the only large paper copies.
A very good copy.