Semet & Plumelle: Rare and antiquarian books, inscribed books and letters, and manuscripts

Semet & Plumelle

Marguerite YOURCENAR
L'oeuvre au noir[The Abyss]
Gallimard|Paris 1968|13.8 x 20.5 cm|Relié sous étui
First edition, one of 45 numbered copies on Holland paper, the deluxe issue.
Full chocolate-brown morocco binding, spine with five raised bands framed with black fillets, date gilt at foot, gilt rolls on the caps, marbled paper endpapers and doublures, gilt double fillet borders on the doublures, gilt fillets along the edges, original wrappers and spine preserved, all edges gilt, slipcase edged with matching chocolate morocco, sides in marbled paper, interior lined with grey felt. A splendid binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
A very handsome copy, perfectly bound in full morocco by Semet & Plumelle.
€25,000
George BARBIER, Henri de RÉGNIER
L'escapade
A. & G. Mornay|Paris 1931|15 x 20.50 cm|relié
Edition adorned with 65 original pochoir coloured illustrations by George Barbier, one of 877 numbered copies on Rives.
Bound in half navy blue morocco, spine in four compartments, gilt date at the foot, marbled paper boards, iridescent effect paper endpapers, wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed Semet & Plumelle.
Pleasant, attractively set copy.
€800
Emile & Alexandre ERCKMANN-CHATRIAN
L'illustre docteur Mathéus
A. Bourdilliat et Cie|Paris 1859|11.50 x 18.50 cm|relié
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Half brown morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands highlighted with gilt fillets and decorated with gilt fleurons, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed Semet & Plumelle.
A handsome copy without foxing, beautifully bound.
€180
Arthur RIMBAUD
Une saison en enferA Season in Hell
Alliance typographique (M.J. Poot & Cie)|Bruxelles [Brussels] 1873|12.50 x 18.50 cm|relié sous étui
Une saison en enfer [A Season in Hell]
Alliance typographique (M. J. Poot & C^ie) Bruxelles 1873 | 12,5 x 18,5 cm | full morocco and custom slipcase

First edition published in small numbers at the author's expense.
Binding in full black morocco elaborately decorated in blind, original wrappers preserved, half black morocco slipcase, outstanding binding signed Semet & Plumelle.
This very scarce first edition of Une saison en enfer is a major collector's piece on several counts: it remains the only work published by Rimbaud himself, then a young unknown 19-year-old poet. He eventually never honored his debt towards the...
€28,000
Charles LEANDRE, Henry MURGER
Scènes de la vie de bohême[Scenes from Bohemian Life]
Romagnol|Paris 1902|17 x 26.50 cm|relié sous étui
Edition illustrated with 40 original watercolors by Charles Léandre engraved by Eugène Decisy, one of 40 numbered copies on Arches vellum, deluxe edition after 35 on Japan blanc.
Full red morocco binding, spine with four raised bands set with black fillets, gilt date at foot, gilt roulettes on headcaps, frame of gilt fillet on the pastedowns in full mint green morocco, red watered silk endpapers, following endpapers of pebbled paper, all edges gilt, covers and spine preserved, slipcase with morocco entry, pebbled paper boards, brown felt interior, superb contemporary binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Our copy contains both states of all the illustrations and the decomposition of...
€1,200
Yvonne PREVERAUD, Jacques de LACRETELLE
La Bonifas[La Bonifas]
Nrf|Paris 1929|19 x 28.50 cm|relié sous étui
Edition illustrated with 72 original lithographs by Yvonne Préveraud, one of 120 numbered copies on Rives laid paper.
Full caramel morocco binding, spine with four raised bands set with black fillets, gilt date at foot, slight nick at foot of spine, gilt roulettes on headcaps, watered silk endpapers, frame of double gilt fillets on full bottle green morocco doublure, following endpapers of marbled paper, covers and spine preserved, all edges gilt, gilt fillet on leading edges, slipcase with caramel morocco spine, marbled paper boards, mauve felt lining, elegant binding signed by Semet and Plumelle.
Handsome copy superbly bound in full morocco doublure by Semet and Plumelle.
€750
Émile GUILLAUMIN
Près du sol[Near the ground]
Calmann Lévy|Paris 1906|12.50 x 19.50 cm|relié
First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Half brown morocco binding with corners, spine very lightly sunned with four raised bands set with black fillets, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt on deckled edges, binding signed Semet & Plumelle.
Handsome copy attractively bound.
€1,200
STENDHAL
Lamiel
Librairie moderne • Maison Quantin|Paris 1889|13 x 19 cm|relié
First edition, one of 12 numbered copies on Hollande, the only deluxe issue.

Complete with the folding map at the end.

Full fawn morocco binding, five raised band spine, date at foot, comb-marbled paper pastedowns framed with a rich gilt roll, comb-marbled endpapers, gilt fillet to headcap, gilt fillet to leading edges, gilt roll to headcaps, original wrappers and spine preserved, all gilt deckled edges, housed in a fawn morocco-edged slipcase. Binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.

Provenance: From the libraries of Dr André Chauveau, Lucius Wilmerding, and RBL, with their bookplates affixed.

A splendid deluxe copy of exceptional...
€13,500
Louis-Ferdinand CÉLINE
L'école des cadavres
Denoël|Paris 1938|14 x 22 cm|relié
First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on pur fil paper, after 32 Japon and 50 Hollande paper.
Half morocco, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
A nice copy elegantly bound.
€3,800
Jean-Paul SARTRE
Le Mur[The Wall]
Gallimard|Paris 1939|12 x 19 cm|relié sous étui

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on vélin pur fil paper, the tirage de tête (deluxe copies).

Full morocco, covers and spine preserved, slipcase, elegant binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.

Provenances: mostly from Robert Desprechins' library with his ex-libris drawn by Jean Cocteau, and by Louis de Sadeleer with his engraved ex-libris.

A very nice copy beautifully bound morocco signed by Semet & Plumelle.
€9,000
Paul VERLAINE
Les mémoires d'un veuf
Léon Vanier|Paris 1886|12.50 x 19 cm|relié
First edition, one of 22 numbered copies on Hollande justified by Léon Vanier, the only large paper copies.
Elegant half red morocco over marbled paper boards by Semet & Plumelle, spine in six compartments with black fillets, gilt date at foot, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers preserved, top edge gilt.
Manuscript signature of Paul Verlaine on half title.
This copy is enriched with a half page autograph letter of Paul Verlaine addressed to his publisher Léon Vanier : "Mon cher Vanier. J'ai remis dimanche 1 lettre et les épreuves, sous enveloppes pour vous à M. Jules Tellier, 18 avenue des Gobelins, qui a dû mettre ces 2 choses à la poste. Voyez...
€7,000
Élémir BOURGES
La nef[The Nave]
Stock|Paris 1904|12 x 19 cm|relié sous étui
First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on Hollande, the only large paper copies.
Elegant red morocco binding by Semet & Plumelle, spine in five compartments, date at foot, gilt roulettes to head- and tail-pieces, red moiré silk pastedowns, marbled endpapers thereafter, gilt fillets to edges of covers, covers and spine (slightly soiled) preserved, top edge gilt; slipcase edged in the same morocco, the boards of the same marbled paper, lined with light brown felt.
This copy is enriched with two autograph notes from the author.
A very good, well-margined copy, superbly bound in an outstanding lined binding by Semet & Plumelle.
€600
David MORIAUD
Poésies
Kundig|Genève [Geneva] s. d. [1899]|17.50 x 28.50 cm|relié
First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Holland paper, from the deluxe edition.
Half burgundy Russian morocco binding with corners, smooth spine decorated with two double gilt compartments richly adorned with gilt decorative motifs, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers marginally faded and spine preserved, bookplate pasted on an endpaper, elegant pastiche binding signed Semet & Plumelle.
With a frontispiece portrait of the author.
A very fine and rare full-margined copy in perfect condition.
Provenance: from Albert Natural's collection of Swiss Romandy poets, which he assembled from the 1920s onwards.
€500
Jules COUGNARD
La porte verte et De Noël à Pâques
A. Jullien|Genève [Geneva] 1929|14.50 x 19 cm|relié
First edition, one of 5 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe copy.
Half mint green morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets and decorated with triple gilt compartments, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, bookplate pasted on endpaper, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Rare and very handsome copy in perfect condition.
Provenance: from Albert Natural's collection of French Swiss poets which he assembled from the nineteen twenties.
€350
Philippe MONNIER
Rimes d'écolier
A. Cherbuliez • G. Fischbacher|Genève [Geneva] • & Paris 1891|9.50 x 16.50 cm|relié
First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Half rust-colored morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets and decorated with triple gilt compartments, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine with small lacks preserved, bookplate pasted on endpaper, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Rare and very handsome copy in perfect condition.
Provenance: from Albert Natural's collection of French Swiss poets which he assembled from the nineteen twenties.
€250
Georges FAVON
Les pervenches
A. Vérésoff|Genève [Geneva] 1876|13 x 19.50 cm|relié
First edition of which there were no deluxe copies.
Half violet morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets and decorated with triple gilt compartments, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, bookplate pasted on endpaper, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Our copy is enriched with the author's autograph poem entitled "Invité de Longfellow" ["Guest of Longfellow"] of two pages which appears in this collection bound at the beginning of the volume, and bound at the end, with two manuscript pages by the author and an original pen...
€450
Jules VUY
Nouveaux échos des bords de l'Arve
S. n.|Genève [Geneva] 1878|12.50 x 19 cm|relié
First edition not put into commerce, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Half mouse-colored morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets decorated with triple gilt compartments, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, bookplate pasted on endpaper, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Autograph signature of the author.
Rare and very handsome copy perfectly established.
Provenance: from the collection of Swiss Romand poets by Albert Natural which he formed from the nineteen twenties.
€200
Emilia CUCHET ALBARET
Les fuseaux d'ivoire
Payot|Lausanne 1909|12 x 19 cm|relié
First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Half sand morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets decorated with triple gilt compartments, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, bookplate pasted on endpaper, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed Semet & Plumelle.
Rare and very handsome copy perfectly bound.
Provenance: from Albert Natural's collection of Swiss Romand poets which he assembled from the twenties onwards.
€300
Henry SPIESS
Attendre
A. Jullien|Genève [Geneva] 1916|12 x 19 cm|relié
First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe copy.
Half chocolate morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets decorated with triple gilt compartments, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed Semet & Plumelle.
Rare and very handsome copy perfectly bound.
Provenance: from Albert Natural's collection of Swiss Romand poets which he assembled from the twenties onwards.
€350
Auguste BLONDEL
Fleurs de légende
C. Eggimann|Genève [Geneva] 1893|17.50 x 22 cm|relié
First edition, one of 300 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies along with 1 on vellum and 5 on Holland paper.
Half red morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets decorated with triple gilt compartments, gilt fillets framing the marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Inscribed by Auguste Blondel to Frédéric Meyer.
Rare and very fine copy perfectly established.
Provenance: from the collection of Swiss Romandy poets assembled by Albert Natural starting in the twenties.
€300
Albert RICHARD
Poésies
Vianey|Genève [Geneva] 1851|15.50 x 24 cm|relié
First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Half khaki Russia morocco binding with corners, smooth spine slightly faded decorated with gilt romantic ornamental motifs, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, bookplate pasted on endpaper, top edge gilt, elegant romantic pastiche binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Rare and very handsome copy in perfect condition.
Provenance: from Albert Natural's collection of Swiss Romandy poets which he formed from the twenties onwards.
€480
John PETIT-SENN
Poésies. - Prose
A. Jullien|Genève [Geneva] 1851|14.50 x 23 cm|2 volumes reliés
First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Half burgundy Russia morocco binding with corners, smooth spine decorated with gilt romantic ornamental motifs, date at foot, gilt fillet frames on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, bookplate pasted on endpaper, top edge gilt, elegant romantic pastiche binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.
Rare and very handsome copy in perfect condition.
Provenance: from Albert Natural's collection of Swiss Romandy poets which he formed from the twenties onwards.
€680
Emile BENASSIT, Paul ARÈNE
Jean des Figues
Lib. Internationale • A. Lacroix, Verboeckhoven & Cie|Paris • & Bruxelles [Brussels] 1870|12 x 19 cm|relié sous étui
The first edition, of which there were no large paper copies.
Elegant cherry-red morocco by Semet Plumelle, spine in six compartments, date gilt at foot, gilt roulettes to head- and tail-pieces, gilt fillet to edges of covers, gilt dentelle frame to pastedowns, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, all edges gilt; slipcase edged in the same morocco and lined in brown felt.
With a frontispiece etching by Emile Bénassit.
A fine copy perfectly bound.
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