Hippolyte Adolphe TAINE

First edition, there is no mention of grand papier (deluxe) copies.
Spine sunned, small tears with tiny lacks in the margins of the covers, paper yellowed as usual.
Handsome autograph inscription signed by Joséphin Peladan, on the upper cover, to Léon Blum.

First octavo edition and first under this new title. The work had been published under the title Voyage aux eaux des Pyrénées in 1855, in a small format and with 64 wood engravings by Gustave Doré; in this edition, 9 of the woodcuts published in 1855 are not included, so there are 332 new woodcuts (Louis Dézé).
Contemporary binding in half midnight blue shagreen, spine with four raised bands decorated with gilt compartments, fillets and stippling, paper boards in cardboard style, endpapers and pastedowns of watered paper, all edges gilt.
Some rubbing to head and foot of spine, two corners slightly rubbed, endpapers and pastedowns somewhat darkened.
Two bookplates pasted on front pastedown.
Handsome copy entirely free from foxing.

Third edition with some parts in first edition and definitive illustrated edition by Gustave Doré.
Contemporary half red shagreen binding, spine decorated with triple compartments and gilt fleurons, compartments and cold fillets, cloth boards decorated in blind, white cloth pastedowns and endpapers, all edges gilt.
Two corners slightly bumped, soiling to pastedowns and endpapers, binding signed in blind Vigneau et Pasquier.
Some foxing.

First edition.
Half navy blue shagreen binding, smooth spine decorated with triple gilt fillets, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges, corners very slightly bumped without gravity.
Copy almost free from foxing.

The second edition, published in the same year as the first.
Half indigo cloth Bradel binding over marbled paper boards by Champs, gilt fleuron to spine, date to foot, navy blue shagreen title-label (very lightly rubbed) covers and spine preserved (upper cover with light scratching where someone has scraped away at the edition statement).
Handsome autograph inscription signed by Hippolyte Taine to Sainte-Beuve.
A good copy with practically no spotting.

First edition, extracted from the Revue des Deux Mondes. Rare.
In plain wrappers.

First edition on ordinary paper of the only novel by Hippolyte Taine published during his lifetime.
Half chocolate shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands slightly faded decorated with gilt floral motifs, marbled paper boards, two small nicks on edges, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, corners slightly bumped, original wrappers preserved.
Rare inscription by Hippolyte Taine "offert par l'exécuteur H. Taine" ["offered by the executor H. Taine"] on the first cover.
Some light foxing of no great consequence.

New edition.
Prize book binding in full red boards, spine with four thin raised bands decorated with triple gilt compartments, blind-ruled frames to covers, front board stamped 'Lycée de Reims' at center and decorated with leaves and a laurel crown, marbled endpapers and pastedowns. Prize distribution label with student's name pasted to verso of front board.
Light foxing of no consequence affecting some pages marginally, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition.
Small tears without lack to head and foot of spine, sewing fragile, foxing.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Half dark brown morocco over marbled paper boards, spine in six compartments with black fillets, marbled endpapers and pastedowns.
A good copy in a nice binding.

First edition.
Half red shagreen bindings, spines with five raised bands decorated with triple gilt compartments, dates at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary bindings.
Complete set with the fourth and final volume entitled: 'Les contemporains'.
Occasional minor foxing.

First edition of this unfinished novel, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Preface by Paul Bourget, handsome copy.