Horace WALPOLE

Autograph manuscript by the author, 2½ pages in-8, published in the issue of 30 March 1944 of the Journal des Débats.
Complete recto-verso manuscript in very dense handwriting, containing numerous deletions, corrections and additions. This is a review published on the occasion of the reissue of Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto with a preface by Paul Eluard. Accompanied by the complete typescript.
The reissue by Éditions José Corti of Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto with a preface by Paul Eluard offered Maurice Blanchot the opportunity to set out his definition of the Gothic novel, which, thanks notably to the Surrealists, was then enjoying a...

Edition illustrated with 78 portraits, not 72 as stated on the title page, engraved by Harding and Voet, after the original paintings. Some minor foxing, ownership inscription in pen on the title page which left a small ink stain to the lower right-hand corner of the same page, slight scuffing to the boards.
Entirely printed on vellum, complete with the binder's instructions at the beginning and the index table at the end.
Edition with commentary by Horace Walpole.
Bound in full Russian red morocco, spine with three raised bands, spine framed in gilt and elaborately decorated with gilt typographic motifs, gilt roulettes at head and foot of spine, slight rubbing to spine-ends...

First edition.
Full caramel calf bindings, spines with fine raised bands highlighted with gilt fillets and decorated with richly ornamented double gilt compartments, author's name in red calf, olive green calf volume labels, triple fillets stamped in blind on boards, blue paper endpapers and pastedowns, blind-stamped borders framing the pastedowns, two bookplates pasted on a pastedown of the first volume and following endpapers, gilt edges on cuts, red speckled edges, elegant English bindings
Our copy includes, in the first volume, the portrait of the Marquise du Deffand as frontispiece as well as a facsimile of her handwriting after the preface.
Fine copy very handsomely...

First edition of the French translation by Charles Malo.
Half brown sheep binding, smooth spine faded and rubbed decorated with gilt fleurons and friezes, one tear to upper headcap, old rose shagreen title-label, marbled paper boards, speckled edges, contemporary binding.
A bookseller's description label pasted on one pastedown having caused a small shadow on the facing page.

The rare first edition. Translation by Gaspard Joel Monod. A sequel was planned, which never appeared, probably due to lack of success.
Armorial copy with the coat of arms of Emmanuel-Félicité de Durfort, Duke of Duras stamped on the boards
Contemporary full blonde glazed and marbled calf bindings. Spines with raised bands decorated with the rampant lion device of the Duke of Duras. Red morocco title label, black sheep volume label very rubbed. Headcap of volume II split. Crack to upper joint with loss to headcap. Surface wear to upper joint at tail of volume I, and to lower joint at tail of volume II. 3 corners bumped. Despite the mentioned defects, a handsome...