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19179 results
  4. Konjyaku Monogatari
    Isawa NAGAHIDE
    Konjyaku Monogatari
    Ryushiken|Kyoto 1820|15.50 x 22.50 cm|15 volumes cousus
    The Konjaku is a compilation of tales and stories that aim to present, in a Buddhist vision, the history of the world. It was formerly attributed to Minamoto no Takakuni (1004-1077), court counselor and great scholar. In its complete version, it was composed of tales about India, China and Japan, this compilation only including those representing Japan. The translation could be: Collection of stories belonging to the past. The stories feature exemplary behaviors that should serve as models or codes for conduct. They are written in Sino-Japanese language.
    47 woodcut engravings, 2 to 3 per volume, by an unidentified artist.
    Japanese-style sewn wrappers. Printed on mulberry paper. Title labels missing from covers. Most volumes loose and partially unstitched. Paper on covers with scattered flowers, and medallions with foliage and flowers, in red on white ground. The endpapers are mostly separated from the covers.
    €450
  5. "je tripote des livres, des nuages, des femmes, et des calembours"
    Lawrence DURRELL
    "je tripote des livres, des nuages, des femmes, et des calembours"
    Signed autograph postcard addressed to Jani Brun
    Sommières 10 novembre 1969|13.90 x 10.10 cm|une carte postale, enveloppe jointe
    Autograph postcard signed addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen on the reverse of a humorous drawing. Envelope included.
    The writer gives news of his life in his house in Sommières to his French lover: "Je me force de [sic] travailler un peu - c'est à dire je tripote des livres, des nuages, des femmes, et des calembours [...] Il pleut. Je coupe du bois aussi et bientôt il faut que je ramasse les mûres. Much love, Larry D" ["I force myself to work a little - that is to say I fiddle with books, clouds, women, and puns [...] It's raining. I also chop wood and soon I must pick blackberries. Much love, Larry D"].

    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large residence surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department of the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received vast correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €200
  6. "Toi, tu peux m'écrire en Français. J'ai du mal à l'écrire mais je le comprends très bien".
    Lawrence DURRELL
    "Toi, tu peux m'écrire en Français. J'ai du mal à l'écrire mais je le comprends très bien".
    Signed autograph letter addressed to Jani Brun
    Paris 18 juillet 1969|21.60 x 28 cm|1 page sur un feuillet, enveloppe jointe
    Autograph letter signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to his lover Jani Brun dating from the beginning of their relationship. One page in blue ballpoint pen. Envelope included.
    The writer addresses here one of the first letters of his correspondence with his young friend from Montpellier, which extended over more than two decades. Still unaccustomed to the French language, he asked for help translating his letter: "J'espère bien mieux te connaître [...] Gérard a traduit ceci de l'anglais pour moi. Comprendrais-tu si la prochaine fois j'écrivais en anglais [...] ?" ["I hope to get to know you much better [...] Gérard translated this from English for me. Would you understand if next time I wrote in English [...] ?"]

    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large residence surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department of the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received vast correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €200
  7. Carte de visite dactylographiée adressée à Jani Brun
    Lawrence DURRELL
    Carte de visite dactylographiée adressée à Jani Brun
    Sommières circa 1970|9.50 x 6.50 cm|une carte de visite sous enveloppe
    Typed visiting card from Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun. Envelope included.

    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the writer-traveler Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "Tartès house," his large dwelling surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a thirty-year-old woman from Montpellier of devastating beauty, who worked in the Department of Antiquities at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we retain precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips notably to England from where she received vast correspondence from the writer as well as original artworks signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €40
  8. "le MONTAGUE HOTEL à côté du British Museum, quartier tranquil [sic] et respectable"
    Lawrence DURRELL
    "le MONTAGUE HOTEL à côté du British Museum, quartier tranquil [sic] et respectable"
    Signed autograph letter addressed to Jani Brun
    Sommières 22 août 1969|12.60 x 20.30 cm|2 pages sur 2 feuillets, enveloppe jointe
    Autograph letter signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, two pages written on two sheets. Central folds inherent to the folding of the missive for mailing. Envelope included.
    The writer arranges a stay in London for his lover and has asked his publisher Alan G. Thomas to welcome her: "Thomas a déjà réservé une chambre au MONTAGUE HOTEL [...] à côté du British Museum, quartier tranquil [sic] et respectable. Mais vérifiez vos dates et télégraphiez lui en avance pour qu'il refasse l'opération" ["Thomas has already reserved a room at the MONTAGUE HOTEL [...] next to the British Museum, quiet and respectable neighborhood. But verify your dates and telegraph him in advance so he can redo the operation"].

    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, particularly to England, from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €100
  9. "m[ake] great haste"
    Lawrence DURRELL
    "m[ake] great haste"
    Signed autograph postcard addressed to Jani Brun
    Sommières 2 février 1970|8.70 x 12.70 cm|une carte postale, enveloppe jointe
    Autograph postcard signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen on the verso of a black and white view of the interior of the temple of Diana in Nîmes. Envelope included.
    The writer gives news of his daughter: "Saph part pour Israel troisième semaine de février" ["Saph leaves for Israel third week of February"] and eagerly awaits the arrival of his lover: "m[ake] great haste" (come quickly).

    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to its independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and sparkling "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, when the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, particularly to England, from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €60
  10. "Ispahan où nous étions ensemble est toujours aussi émouvant."
    Maurice BÉJART
    "Ispahan où nous étions ensemble est toujours aussi émouvant."
    Signed autograph postcard addressed to André-Philippe Hersin
    Ispahan [Isfahan] 22 novembre 1974|14.90 x 10.20 cm|une carte postale
    Autograph postcard signed by Maurice Béjart addressed to André-Philippe Hersin, on the verso of a photographic reproduction showing the trembling minarets of Isfahan.
    The choreographer sent this postcard from Iran, where he created in 1971 under the patronage of Empress Farah Pahlavi his ballet Golestan (The Rose Garden), and in 1974 at the Shiraz festival his ballet Mallarmé III, to music by Pierre Boulez. It would also be during this period that Béjart is said to have converted to Islam after meeting Dariouche Safvate, eminent Kurdish Sufi musician.
    €150
  16. Le ministre d'estat, avec le veritable usage de la politique moderne
    Jean de SILHON
    Le ministre d'estat, avec le veritable usage de la politique moderne
    Chez Antoine Michiels • [ Elzevier]|Amsterdam • [Leyde] [Leiden] 1661 - 1662|7.50 x 12.50 cm|3 volumes reliés
    New edition. Rare gathering of the three parts of Le Ministre d'estat. The first part appeared for the first time in Paris, published by Toussaint du Bray, in 1631, the second and third parts appeared respectively in 1643 and 1651 by the same publisher and were subsequently reprinted by the Elzeviers. Sphere device on the title pages of the three volumes.
    Full midnight blue long-grain morocco binding circa 1830. Smooth spine with blind fillets, blind tools and roulettes. Boards decorated in blind with 2 framing roulettes. Gilt edges. A thin scratch to the lower board.
    Jean Silhon (1596-1667) was first secretary to Richelieu before becoming Councillor of State. Entirely devoted to Richelieu, Le ministre d'état is a political reflection that presents a flattering portrait of the regime established by Richelieu. The three volumes contain numerous historical studies and an overall reflection on power, alliances and diplomacy.
    Bayle "undoubtedly one of the most solid and most judicious authors of his century".
    Armorial bookplate of Georges Montandon.
    €1,600
  17. Memoires et lettres de M. le Marquis d'Argens
    Jean-Baptiste Marquis de BOYER D'ARGENS
    Memoires et lettres de M. le Marquis d'Argens
    Aux dépens de La Compagnie|à Londres [London] 1762|9.50 x 16.20 cm|2 parties en un volume relié
    New edition, after the original published in 1735.
    Contemporary full marbled brown sheep binding. Ornamented spine with raised bands. Blonde calf title label. One lack at head. One corner slightly bumped. Rubbing. Browning to margins of the first 2 leaves.
    Novel and false autobiography, it was with this work that the Marquis d'Argens made his literary debut. "Real or imaginary, the picaresque escapades of this Provençal knight, whose sentimental caravans lead him to the Grand Turk's Divan, form a joyous amorous Odyssey. There follow in succession buffooneries of Italian comedy, sketches, reflections and obligatory adventures of the travel tale. The adventures of this resourceful Telemachus, who would have traded the quest for self for the pursuit of petticoats, are enriched with philosophical irreverences", Yves Coirault, Edition prefaced, established and annotated by Yves Coirault. Paris, Desjonquères, 1993. Several letters follow the novel, on music, opera and theatre, dance.
    €280
  18. Les fleurs à Paris
    Hugues LE ROUX
    Les fleurs à Paris
    A. Quantin|Paris 1890|13.50 x 18 cm|relié
    First edition, one of 500 numbered copies on tinted vellum, single edition with 25 Japan.
    Bradel binding in full glazed Havana calfskin, smooth back decorated with a central monogram (A in the Q) and a golden floral pattern, tiny traces of friction without gravity, a black spot at the foot of a bit, date in the tail, golden casters on the caps, repetition of the same golden monogram at the head of the first board, small spots without gravity on the boards, golden nets on the cuts, double framing of golden lace on the guards and the paper counterplates in the tank , fragile double wrappers preserved and bound in, golden edges, ex-libris pasted on the back of the first cover, elegant Contemporary binding.
    Autograph signed by Hugues Le Roux to his publisher A. Quantin on the false title page.
    Illustrated book of 5 engravings by Paul Avril including 1 in frontispiece.
    Shaded false title page, otherwise good interior condition.
    Pleasant copy established in an elegant Contemporary binding.
    Provenance: library of A. Quantin with his engraved ex-libris.
    €100
  20. "youth at the prow and beauty at the helm" luxe et voupté - dans le Club Méditerranée, everything is done for you"
    Lawrence DURRELL
    "youth at the prow and beauty at the helm" luxe et voupté - dans le Club Méditerranée, everything is done for you"
    Signed autograph postcard addressed to Jani Brun
    Grèce [Greece] 28 mai 1981|14.60 x 10.20 cm|une carte postale
    Autograph postcard signed by Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, his young French lover, written in blue felt-tip pen, on the verso of a humorous illustration featuring Poseidon.
    The writer had stayed at Club Méditerranée and sings its praises with a verse from the neo-medieval poem The Bard, by Thomas Gray and one from Baudelaire: "youth at the prow and beauty at the helm" (Jeunesse à la proue et beauté à la barre) luxe et voupté - dans le Club Méditerranée, everything is done for you (tout est fait pour vous) J'ai envie de rester encore vingt ans ici. That would make me 110 years old (j'aurais 110 ans)."

    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the travelling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (Les citrons acides), he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès", his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties of devastating beauty, who worked at the Department of Antiquities at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the charm of "Buttons", praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we keep precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips, notably to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artist pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €180
  21. tournage du film adapté de son livre "Justine"
    Lawrence DURRELL
    tournage du film adapté de son livre "Justine"
    Signed autograph postcard addressed to Jani Brun
    Sommières 3 janvier 1969|14.60 x 10.20 cm|une carte postale
    Signed autograph postcard from Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in purple felt-tip pen, on the verso of a humorous illustration by Lassalvy.
    The writer sends his wishes for the year 1969 to his young French lover, and prepares to follow the filming of the movie adapted from his novel "Justine," first volume of his Alexandria Quartet: "Je vais à Londres samedi pour un mois de 'filmage'. Amuse toi bien mais sagement !" ["I'm going to London Saturday for a month of 'filming'. Have fun but wisely!"]

    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the spell of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips particularly to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artistic pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €120
  22. "dear and pretty chapeau jaune [...] phone-moi veux-tu ?"
    Lawrence DURRELL
    "dear and pretty chapeau jaune [...] phone-moi veux-tu ?"
    Signed autograph postcard addressed to Jani Brun
    Sommières 20 juin1968|14.60 x 10.20 cm|une carte postale
    Signed autograph postcard from Lawrence Durrell addressed to Jani Brun, written in black felt-tip pen, on the verso of a photograph topped with the humorous caption "Finies les vacances !! Les blés sont fauchés / Les vacanciers aussi !!" ["The holidays are over!! The wheat is cut / The vacationers too!!"]
    The writer attempts to see his young French lover between two trips: "Dear and pretty chapeau jaune. je suis au mazet vendredi mais chez moi le soir. Vendredi je suis seul. phone-moi veux-tu ? si possible ? Car je m'en vais à Paris dimanche soir pour trois jours mais j'attends un coup de téléphone de là bas pour décider" ["Dear and pretty yellow hat. I'm at the mazet Friday but at home in the evening. Friday I'm alone. Will you phone me? if possible? Because I'm going to Paris Sunday evening for three days but I'm waiting for a phone call from there to decide"].



    After many years spent in Greece, Egypt and Rhodes, the traveling writer Lawrence Durrell was forced to flee Cyprus following popular uprisings that led the island to independence from the British crown. Rich only with a shirt and a typewriter but crowned with the success of his novel Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, he arrived in France in 1956 and settled in the Languedoc village of Sommières. In the "maison Tartès," his large house surrounded by trees, he wrote the second part of his work, his monumental Avignon Quintet, devoted himself to painting and received his illustrious friends, including the couple Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, London publisher Alan G. Thomas, and his two daughters Penelope and Sappho.
    Among the olive trees and under the Mediterranean sun, he met in the mid-1960s the young and vivacious "Jany" (Janine Brun), a woman from Montpellier in her thirties with devastating beauty, who worked in the Antiquities department at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was nicknamed "Buttons" in memory of their first meeting, where the young woman wore a dress covered with buttons. Henry Miller also fell under the spell of "Buttons," praising her beauty and eternal youth in exceptional unpublished letters. The three companions spent memorable Parisian evenings of which we preserve precious autograph traces through their epistolary exchanges. Recommended by Durrell, she made numerous trips particularly to England from where she received extensive correspondence from the writer as well as original works of art signed with his artistic pseudonym, Oscar Epfs.
    €180
  23. La Russie - Voyage pittoresque de Saint-Pétersbourg à Moscou
    Leitch RITCHIE
    La Russie - Voyage pittoresque de Saint-Pétersbourg à Moscou
    Louis Janet|Paris s. d. [circa 1840]|13 x 20.50 cm|relié
    Edition illustrated with 25 hors-texte engravings.
    Half brown Russia morocco binding, smooth spine slightly faded decorated with a gilt decorative motif representing the roof of a Russian church, apple-green paper boards decorated with geometric motifs stamped in blind, orange watered silk endpapers and pastedowns, edges gilt.
    Some foxing affecting the engravings, black ink offset at head of one endpaper on verso of first board.
    Provenance: from the library of Bourg d'Iré, property of Count de Falloux with reproductions of his bookplate pasted on the spine of the binding and his bookplate pasted on a pastedown.
    €300
  28. Patriotisme et paternité
    Fernand BOVERAT
    Patriotisme et paternité
    Grasset|Paris 1913|12 x 19 cm|relié
    First edition, press service mark at the head of the second cover plate.
    Binding in half red morocco, smooth back, golden initials in tail, slightly rubbed joints without gravity, boards of marbled paper, guards and counterplates of paper in the tank, ex-libris glued on a counterplate, preserved covers, Contemporary binding .
    Autograph signed by Fernand Boverat to Joseph Reinach.
    Provenance: Joseph Reinach's library with his engraved ex-libris glued at the head of a counterplate.
    €150
  34. The ruined abbeys of Yorkshire
    William CHAMBERS LEFROY, Alfred-Louis BRUNET-DEBAINES
    The ruined abbeys of Yorkshire
    Seelay, Jackson, and Halliday, London 1883, Petin-Folio (25 x 35.5 cm), 71pp., bound
    Seelay, Jackson, and Halliday|London 1883|25 x 35.50 cm|relié
    Seelay, Jackson, and Halliday, London 1883, Petin-Folio (25 x 35.5 cm), 71pp., bound

    First edition illustrated with 11 wonderful etchings and one in a wash drawing style by Brunet-Debaines and H. Toussaint drawn on arches paper. 33 in-text figures (plans, details, views...). Text in double columns. Alfred-Louis Brunet-Debaines (1845-1939) is a French painter, draughtsman and engraver who made his career in England. His achievements for the book are truly striking creations and were hailed as such.

    Sent by the Queen of the Belgians, Marie-Henriette of Austria, Archduchess, to Louis D'Orléans: "Pour le Duc de Nemours de la part de la reine. Noel 1883” “For the Duke of Nemours on behalf of the Queen. Christmas 1883”. Ironically, Louis D'Orléans, Duke of Nemours and youngest son of King Louis-Philippe, was elected King of the Belgians by the Belgian congress in 1831, but the English didn't want a French King on the Belgian throne and Louis-Philippe had to renounce the name of his son. It is a Prince of the House of Saxe-Cobourg who will be designated to be the first King of the Belgians and he will marry the daughter of Louis-Philippe and the sister of the Duke of Nemours: Louise D'Orléans, in 1833, but she will die in 1850 and Leopold I will remarry Marie-Henriette of Austria. The Duke of Nemours was thus a close friend of the Belgian royal family, since he was Leopold's brother in law.
    Royal provenance: ex-libris with arms: Library of S. A. R. Madame the Duchess of Vendôme, Princess of Belgium. Second ex-libris: Antonio Barette.

    Bound in contemporary marine morocco. Spine in compartments decorated with shells and other finishing tools. Gilt title. Large frames on the splats with ornamental panel stamps and shell finishing tools. Rich inner dentelle. Edges gilt. Flattened corners. Some signs of rubbing. Some foxing in the margins of the text.

    A very beautiful copy.
    €2,500
  35. Les delices de l'esprit : dialogues dediez aux beaux esprits du monde
    Jean DESMARETS DE SAINT-SORLIN
    Les delices de l'esprit : dialogues dediez aux beaux esprits du monde
    Chez Florentin Lambert|à Paris 1661|24 x 36 cm|relié
    First edition of 1658, with a relay title at Lambert's address and dated 1661. Apart from the title page, the only notable difference is the removal of the epistle to Cardinal Mazarin who died on 9 March 1661. The illustration was created by François Chauveau: 4 ornamented frontispiece titles, 15 plates whose subjects are placed at the center of flowered letters and figures, and 5 plates decorated only with large figures. The text is enhanced with 135 head- and tailpieces and initial letters engraved on wood in the style of the frontispieces and plate figures. A slip indicating the transfer of privilege dated 12 September 1659 has been pasted at the bottom of the privilege extract. On the last leaf, an errata has been mounted by the publisher.
    Modern binding in full glazed brown Russia leather (straight-grained moroccoized calf). Jansenist spine with raised bands. Red glazed calf title label. Fillet at head and headcap and framing the covers. Perfect condition of this binding executed in very fine leather.
    The work is considered the first expression of baroque ornamentation, and is certainly its greatest achievement. A spiritual work, both philosophical and theological, the book exposes through dialogues, over thirty days and four parts, the conversion of the worldly and sensual Philédon to the contemplative and pious life by his now converted friend Eusèbe. The dialogues each have a subject or theme: On the immortality of the soul, On the delights of philosophy, The city of true pleasure. Allegorical commentaries on biblical texts follow the dialogues: Genesis, The Apocalypse...
    €3,000
  36. Lettre autographe signée adressée à un ami qu'il nomme "khiliarque"
    Pierre LOUYS
    Lettre autographe signée adressée à un ami qu'il nomme "khiliarque"
    1er février 1921|11.10 x 14.60 cm|4 pages sur un double feuillet
    Autograph letter signed by Pierre Louÿs addressed to a friend whom he calls "khiliarque". Ample and calligraphic handwriting in violet ink. A tear without loss of text to the first page.
    Eloquent letter testifying to Pierre Louÿs' fragile health in the last years of his life: "Vous me retrouvez en pleine crise d'emphysème. Médecins. Ventouses. Potions. Régime. Intertitude chaque jour sur la journée du lendemain." [You find me in the midst of an emphysema crisis. Doctors. Cupping. Potions. Regimen. Uncertainty each day about the next day.]
    The letter also reveals the writer's passion for dramaturgy, notably through the mention of Gustave Quinson, then director of the Palais-Royal theatre. "Voulez-vous être tout à fait gentil ? Envoyez-moi d'abord votre livret que je suis si curieux de connaître..." [Would you be so kind? First send me your libretto which I am so curious to know...]
    €280
  38. Eurythmies
    Jean ROYERE
    Eurythmies
    Albert Messein|Paris 1904|15 x 21 cm|relié
    first edition on current paper.
    Binding in half brown heartache, back with five nerves slightly cleared up and with small traces of friction, golden date in tail, boards, guards and counterplates of marbled paper, covers and back preserved, golden head, binding signed Canape & Corriez.
    Beautiful autograph dedication signed by Jean Royère: "To the poet Armand Godoy / I offer these first beginnings / which were mine / as a testimony of aesthetic communion."
    €100
  43. Oeuvres
    Jean-Charle Julien LUCE DE LANCIVAL
    Oeuvres
    Brissot-Thivars & Cie|Paris 1826|13 x 21 cm|2 volumes reliés
    First edition.
    Full caramel sheep binding, smooth spines decorated with gilt cartouche and ornamental motifs in gilt and blind, black shagreen title-labels, gilt roulettes on headcaps with minor harmless defects, boards with black sheep frame showing traces of rubbing and two small lacks and decorated with central typographical motifs in blind, gilt fillets on leading edges, marbled edges, contemporary Romantic binding.
    Work illustrated with an engraved portrait of the author as frontispiece.
    Notice by Collin de Plancy and speeches delivered at the grave of L. de Lancival by Deguerle, Lacretelle & Roger.
    Scattered foxing.
    €100
  44. La Femme jugée par les grands écrivains des deux sexes ou la femme devant Dieu, devant la nature, devant la Loi et devant la société. Riche et précieuse mosaïque de toutes les opinions émises sur la femme, depuis les siècles les plus reculés jusqu'à nos jours. Nouvelle édition entièrement refondue et considérablement augmentée. Seul ouvrage qui réunisse un ensemble aussi complet et aussi varié sur la femme, par L. J. Larcher, avec une introduction de M. Bescherelle ainé. LARCHER, L. J
    Loredan LARCHER
    La Femme jugée par les grands écrivains des deux sexes ou la femme devant Dieu, devant la nature, devant la Loi et devant la société. Riche et précieuse mosaïque de toutes les opinions émises sur la femme, depuis les siècles les plus reculés jusqu'à nos jours. Nouvelle édition entièrement refondue et considérablement augmentée. Seul ouvrage qui réunisse un ensemble aussi complet et aussi varié sur la femme, par L. J. Larcher, avec une introduction de M. Bescherelle ainé. LARCHER, L. J
    Garnier|Paris S.d. [1854]|19 x 28.50 cm|Relié
    New edition, entirely revised and considerably expanded. Illustrated with 21 steel engravings (Vicaire lists only 18) by Staal, engraved by Delanoy...
    Half wine-red shagreen. Spine with raised bands decorated with roulettes and a large central mirrored ornament. Top edge gilt. Spine uniformly lightened. Minor scuffing to tail. Very good copy, particularly fresh. Printed on fine laid paper.
    The excerpts are structured around qualities acknowledged as specifically feminine (prudery, modesty, jealousy, beauty, coquetry...).
    €350
  48. Oeuvres posthumes de M. le Chevalier de Meré
    Antoine Gombaud MÉRÉ
    Oeuvres posthumes de M. le Chevalier de Meré
    Chez Jean et Michel Guignard|à Paris 1700|9.50 x 17 cm|relié

    First edition.
    Contemporary speckled brown calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. 2 corners slightly bumped. Handsome copy.
    3 treatises present in this collection all concern a reflection on the honest man. The fourth is entitled Le commerce du monde. If Faret had already treated the qualities of the honest man, it is the chevalier de Méré, through his three treatises published after his death, who would be its true theorist, founding his principles on a philosophy of life in society, combining the qualities of the heart with taste, culture and wit.
    It was regarding honesty that Méré and Pascal formed a long friendship. Pascal would subsequently remain faithful to a certain practice of honesty, and above all reflect on the subtleties and delicacy of spirit that it supposed. Méré would be the inspiration for several "pensées".

    €700
  59. Oeuvre romanesque
    Jean GIRAUDOUX
    Oeuvre romanesque
    Grasset|Paris 1955|10.50 x 17.50 cm|2 volumes en reliures de l'éditeur sous étui
    New edition, one of the numbered copies.
    Publisher's full cream boards, blue top edge, smooth spines decorated with gilt repeated decorative motifs on the covers, complete with slipcase.
    Works illustrated with color illustrations by Mariano Andreu, Roger Chapelain-Midy, Pierre-Eugène Clairin, Jacques Despierre, Jean-Denis Masclès, Lila de Nobili, Roland Oudot, Jacques Thévenet and Marcel Vertès.
    €80
  66. La princesse de Bagdad
    Alexandre DUMAS FILS
    La princesse de Bagdad
    Calmann Lévy|Paris 1881|16 x 25 cm|relié
    First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies with 10 on China paper.
    Bradel binding in half blue-green cloth, smooth spine decorated with a gilt fleuron, date at foot, chocolate shagreen title-label, marbled paper boards, upper corners slightly bumped, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding signed by Durvand Thivet.
    Handsome copy almost entirely free from foxing.
    €150
  77. Nouveau traité de la civilité qui se pratique en France, parmi les honnestes gens
    Antoine de COURTIN
    Nouveau traité de la civilité qui se pratique en France, parmi les honnestes gens
    Chez Elie Josset|à Paris 1673|9 x 16 cm|relié

    Third edition stated. The first edition was published in 1671. Printer's device on title page, with fleur-de-lys.
    Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Decorated raised band spine. Brown sheep title-label. One hole at foot. Overall rubbed.
    The success of this treatise on civility led to its reprinting more than 15 times until 1730. Written for a friend of the author who wanted to send his son to Court, the work particularly emphasizes respect for etiquette and the behavior that a gentleman should display. The treatise encompasses all activities of a gentleman: cleanliness, dancing, relations with servants, superiors, table manners...

    €450
  78. Description du Tibet
    Peter Simon PALLAS, Baron Jean de REUILLY
    Description du Tibet
    Chez Bossange|à Paris 1808|13 x 20.50 cm|relié
    First edition, rare, translated by Baron Jean de Reuilly.
    Contemporary full red Russia leather binding. Smooth spine decorated with 5 fleurons and fillets. Gilt title. Wide decorative border on boards with eagles, serpents, rabbits and stars in the corners. Interior garland. Spine darkened, having become dark red. Dark stains on lower board. One scratch on upper board. Endpapers having suffered humidity with discoloration. In lower margin, faint trace of dampstaining throughout the volume, more extensive at end of volume, with traces in outer and lower margins. Handsome copy in contemporary Russia leather.
    Manuscript ownership inscription Sorlin d'origny, Constantinoples, 1882. Below, a biographical note on Baron de Reuilly.
    Sole separate edition of Pallas's journey to Tibet, which had not been printed in the French editions. It was translated from the first and third volumes of the German edition of Pallas's voyage published in St. Petersburg from 1771 to 1776. This edition was prefaced and annotated by Reuilly based on the missions of several travelers (Bogle, Stewart, Georgi and Andrade) and from his own observations.
    €1,200
  79. La décade philosophique, littéraire et politique
    GUINGUENE
    La décade philosophique, littéraire et politique
    Au Bureau de la Décade philosophique|à Paris 1797 (An 6)|13 x 20 cm|4 volumes reliés
    First edition of this complete year of La décade philosophique, one volume per quarter. 2 plates in volume I, 2 frontispieces are announced to the binder but are not present.
    Contemporary half brown sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated. Red morocco title and volume labels. Lacks at head and tail of volume 4. Tailcap of volume 3 frayed. Paper lacks to boards of volumes I and 4. Corners very bumped and worn. Good copy.
    La Décade philosophique, littéraire et politique, is a review created during the Terror regime, on April 29, 1794, by Pierre-Louis Ginguené, appearing every ten days, in a quire of 4 sheets in-8°. It ceased publication in 1807. Guinguené's editorial objective was to fill the gaps in the newspapers that appeared during the Terror and which left no room for literature and the arts. Among the contributors to the Décade, we count the author François Andrieux, the economist Jean-Baptiste Say and his brother, the bibliographers Barbier and Beuchot... The Review's articles were very extensive, agriculture, literature, sciences, travel, politics, economics...
    €400
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