Writings and Cries for Freedom

Historian Timothy Snyder playfully criticized Rousseauism: we are not born free but tied with a cord and covered in the blood of another. This quip echoes the observation of philosopher Caela Gilespie in Manufacturing the Apolitical Man: “We have completely forgotten that freedom is hard won, it only exists if it is established by law and guaranteed by a particular type of constitution [...]. The idea that human rights are citizen’s rights has been the subject of great historical repression.”

Fortunately, books act as essential actors and historical witnesses of human progress. Keepers of stories of founding struggles, while under their covers the unquenchable embers of revolt are still smoldering.

Opposing an entire state, Solzhenitsyn saved his manuscript from the flames at the very last minute. Once printed, the thoughts of a single dissident would become an uncompromising denunciation of Soviet prison camps. Although written in Russian, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature chose France to publish his masterpiece, perhaps because of a certain Gallic spirit “which resists again and again” and remains relentlessly cultivated there since infancy...

THE INVESTIGATION 

Exceptional and extremely rare association copy of the first edition of 'The Gulag Archipelago'

Like its author, Solzhenitsyn's most important book has survived the most harrowing of trials. Written while running “from one hiding place to another”, it also cost the life of one of the writer’s “invisible” assistant typists. This first edition published in Paris is the result of remarkable collective courage.

While the book quickly reached international success thanks to its translations, Solzhenitsyn was still in the USSR when the first edition came out. The few Russian recipients of inscribed copies are even more than readers the inheritors of a shared history of freedom to be passed on to future generations.

FOCUS These drawings are crazy !

Original drawing of Obélix signed by Uderzo and Goscinny

"The year is 50 B.C. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. 

Well, not entirely... 

One small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders. And life is not easy for the Roman legionaries who garrison the fortified camps of Totorum, Aquarium, Laudanum and Compendium"

LATEST ARRIVALS

Don’t throw it to the lions | Last nights a princess saved my life | Slavic and rythmic | Giono would like some more desert | France’s France | Camus ma nun troppo | Paris is a good sport

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Jean GIONO

Le Déserteur et autres récits

Gallimard | Paris 1973

Some parts in first edition, one of 27 numbered copies on hollande, most limited deluxe issue.

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Prosper MÉRIMÉE

La Guzla, ou choix de Poésies illyriques recueillies dans la Dalmatie, la Bosnie, la Croatie et l'Herzégovine

F.G. Levrault | Paris 1827

First edition.

Frontispiece portrait on chine paper of Hyacinthe Maglanovich, a guzla musician.

A very intimate creation by Prosper Mérimée, the Guzla is a literary interpretation of slavic ballads. Only one of them is authentic, titled "the sad ballad of the noble bride".

Handsome copy elegantly bound.

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Jean COCTEAU

Autograph poem "Rondel de la sultane embarrassée" with two corrections, from his collection Le Prince Frivole

[ca 1909]

An early poem by Jean Cocteau, 15 lines written in black on a thick leaf, titled "Rondel de la sultane embarrassée".

Later published in his poem collection "Le prince frivole" (Mercure de France, 1910), his second book.

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François PONSARD

Le Lion amoureux

Michel Lévy frères | Paris 1866

First edition with false statement of 3rd edition, as this theater play was first created at the théâtre français on January 18, 1866.

Contemporary deep green morocco binding. Arms of Napoléon III stamped at center of each boards. A nice copy.

In the aftermath of the Terror, the author portrays the protagonists of the French political revival: General Hoche and General Bonaparte in the Salon of Madame Tallien.

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William FAULKNER & Albert CAMUS

Requiem pour une nonne [Requiem for a Nun]

Gallimard | Paris 1957

First French edition, one of 77 numbered copies on pur fil, only deluxe issue.

Preface by Albert Camus.

Nice copy housed under a chemise and slipcase by Devauchelle.

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Albert de SAINT-ALBIN & Jean BÉRAUD

Les Sports à Paris

Librairie moderne | Paris 1889

Rare edition, no deluxe copies recorded, with statement of two thousandth edition.

Preserved wrappers with doublure, contemporary binding.

Upper cover illustrated by Jean Béraud.

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Anatole FRANCE

Histoire Contemporaine : L'Anneau d'Améthyste. M. Bergeret à Paris. Le Mannequin d'Osier. L'Orme du mail

Chez Simon Kra, Éditions du Sagittaire | Paris 1921 - 1924

First edition of the 4 novels of this 'Histoire contemporaine' tetralogy. First illustrated edition for each. Copy no. 87, one of 100 on japon impérial, including an additional suite of drawings on chine, facing each watercolor illustration.

Handsomely bound copy.

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