Paris (France)

First edition, one of 135 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe copies.
A handsome copy.
Signed autograph note by José Cabanis on the half-title.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Neige vellum, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies after 28 on pur fil.

A handsome copy.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Johannot pure rag paper, the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

Inscribed and signed by Roger Vailland to the publisher Jean Chastel.

First edition, published by order of the Imperial Government of Brazil and illustrated with a folding color map at the end of the volume (cf. Garraux 169. Borba de Moraes I, 478).

Some light foxing, minor rubbing to the spine, a pleasing and scarce copy.

Contemporary binding in red half morocco-grained shagreen, smooth spine ruled in gilt with quadruple fillets, gilt coat of arms at foot of spine, small losses to head and tailcaps, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, period binding.

Emmanuel Liais, then Director of the Imperial Observatory of Rio de Janeiro, had been entrusted by Emperor Pedro II with various expeditions throughout the Brazilian territory.

First edition of the French translation of this remarkable study originally published in Vienna in the *Mines de l'Orient*.

The work, translated and enriched with observations and explanatory notes, followed by a dissertation on the location of the Pallacopas by J. Raimond, is illustrated with six folding plates at the end (rather than four, as stated on the title page).

Contemporary binding in green half sheep, spine slightly faded, gilt-stamped with a sphinx, gilt title, cat's-eye marbled paper-covered boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, modern binding.

Some foxing, mainly affecting the opening leaves.

Rich provides "une description très détaillée de toutes les ruines et de tous les tertres [...] qui s'étendent à une grande distance sur les deux rives de l'Euphrate" (Michaud).

His work on Babylon is regarded as the starting point of Mesopotamian archaeology (Chahine, 4032).

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.

A fine copy.

First edition, illustrated with a frontispiece, a portrait of the author, and 14 copper-engraved vignettes within the text, mostly depicting inhabitants of the North (cf Sabin, 38711.)

Restored binding in full grained morocco, spine with five false raised bands adorned with gilt fillets and double compartments, gilded roulettes on the partially faded caps, small repairs to the joints, gilt fillets on the edges, slightly worn corners, binding of the period.

Ink annotations on the white endpaper and at the top of the false-title page.

Born in Rouen in 1634, La Martinière embarked around 1670 as a surgeon on a ship of the Northern Company bound for Norway, and visited Lapland, New Zemble, the Siberian coasts, and Iceland.

His account contains numerous details on the lifestyle, customs, and superstitions of the peoples of these regions, as well as natural history (reindeer, bears, penguins, etc.). There are also passages on hunting and fishing. Author of several medical works, notably on blood transfusion, La Martinière also published 'The Happy Slave', Paris, 1674, in which he recounts his captivity by the Barbary corsairs a few years before his voyage to Norway. A fine copy of this rare book.

Provenance: from the library of the Menneval château with its engraved bookplate pasted on the inside cover.

First edition, very difficult to find complete, as the third volume was published eight years after the first two.

Bound in full mottled bronze-green calf, smooth spines richly decorated with gilt floral compartments, red morocco labels for title and volume number, gilt rolls on the caps, joints slightly rubbed, gilt roll-tooled borders on the covers entirely adorned with oblong geometric patterns in blind, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt Greek-key borders framing the pastedowns, bookplate mounted on the pastedown of the first volume, gilt fillets on the edges, all edges gilt, contemporary bindings.

Contains anecdotes about Rousseau, Poivre, Turgot, Helvétius, Benjamin Franklin, Holbach, Cardinal de La Rochefoucauld, the Marquise de Pompadour, Calonne, Necker, Beaujon…

A handsome copy attractively bound in a period decorative binding.

First edition of the French translation, one of 210 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies issued.

A handsome copy, despite the boards being very slightly and marginally faded, as often.

First edition, one of 26 numbered copies on Vélin du Marais, the only deluxe copies.

Rare and appealing copy.

Complete set of the first quarter published (11 April-12-19 July 1886) of the symbolist journal La Vogue, the most important literary review of the late nineteenth century, containing the first printing of Rimbaud’s Illuminations. Issues 1 - 12, published weekly, were gathered under a quarterly wrapper and offered for sale in September 1886. No deluxe copies were issued for this first quarter of the journal, which had a very limited print run. Copy as published, spine restored, upper corner of the second cover lacking.

First appearance of Rimbaud’s Illuminations in the journal that served as a refuge for the poètes maudits and introduced Walt Whitman to the French readership.

Numerous contributions, including Paul Verlaine, Stéphane Mallarmé, Auguste Villiers de L’Isle-Adam, Charles Morice, Paul Adam, René Ghil, Jules Laforgue, Léo d’Orfer, Stendhal, Charles Henry, Stuart Merrill (translated by Mallarmé), Édouard Dujardin, Joris-Karl Huysmans, Félix Fénéon, Paul Bourget, Walt Whitman, Teodor de Wyzewa, Fedor Dostoevsky, Charles Vignier, Jacques Casanova de Seingalt.

Presented in a grey half-morocco clamshell case, smooth spine, marble-covered paper boards, marbled endpapers; case with grey morocco border, signed by Boichot.

First edition, one of 249 numbered copies on B.F.K. de Rives, the only printing alongside 1 on Hollande and 24 on cream Renage vellum.

Illustrated with 4 original color lithographs by Rufino Tamayo.

This copy is further enriched with an additional suite of the 4 lithographs by Rufino Tamayo, usually reserved for the deluxe copies.
Printed stamps to the versos of each engraving: "Annulation d'estampille pour annulation de vente".

A rare and desirable copy.

Exceptional and Surrealist autograph inscription signed by Benjamin Péret to Toyen, inspired by the Aztec pantheon: "A Toyen la fille de Pilzintacutli, son ami Huitzilopochtli. Rectifions : son père est Xochipilli, l'autre n'esu qu'un intrus. Benjamin Péret 2 juin 1953."

Rare and highly sought-after first edition.
Contemporary binding in black half shagreen, flat spines richly decorated with gilt ornamental rolls, discreet and skilful restoration to the foot of one joint, black paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, sprinkled edges. Discreet restoration to the lower hinge of the first volume.
Exceptionally clean copy, virtually free of foxing (a rarity according to Clouzot, who notes that most copies are usually heavily spotted).
Provenance: from the libraries of Saint-Germain (with printed crowned bookplate beneath the titles on the half-titles); Count de Bonvouloir (with his printed bookplate, Château de Magny in Calvados, above the title on the half-title of the second volume and above the next bookplate on an endpaper of the first volume); Charles-Albert Gigault de Crisonoy de Lyonne, with his bookplate mounted on a pastedown and endpaper; and more recently Max Brun, with his bookplate mounted on the front pastedown of the first volume.
Shelving labels mounted at the top of the rear pastedowns, minor losses to white paper and some corner stains on the endpapers.
A rare copy preserved in a strictly contemporary binding.

Rare first edition of this "relation (...) much sought after for its accuracy", illustrated with 19 folding plates, including 2 maps (cf. Sabin 3604, Leclerc 119).

Full marbled tan calf binding, spine with five raised bands, gilt compartments decorated with gilt floral motifs, small chip at foot of spine, scuffing to covers, red edges, bumped corners, gilt fillets along the board edges, contemporary binding.

The author, a physician and botanist born in Perpignan in 1690—where he held a post at the military hospital—was introduced by Antoine de Jussieu to the Conseil de la Marine in August 1721 and appointed royal physician and botanist in French Guiana. He landed in Cayenne at the end of 1721 and left the colony in May 1724. During his stay, he explored the banks of the Kourou and Orapu rivers, studying the local flora, fauna, and indigenous customs.

His account, one of the earliest on French Guiana, is of great importance and was widely used by eighteenth-century geographers.

First edition, illustrated with 3 hors-texte plates (cf. Rodrigues 1357. Borba de Moraes I, 381. See INED 2496 for the 1774 edition).

The plates depict: Brama, god of the Indians – View of a pagoda tower – Snake charmer.

Contemporary-style binding in marbled tawny calf over vellum-tipped corners, spine with five raised bands, ruled in gilt, brown calf lettering-piece, marbled paper-covered boards, red sprinkled edges, modern binding.

Coromandel Coast, European trading posts, military strongholds, Indian religion, medicine, anatomy, caste system, Indian manners, dress, dwellings, gardens, food (and temperance), wedding rituals, funerals, Indian morals, fauna, flora, etc.

Pages 3 to 21 are devoted to Brazil. The author made a stop at Bourbon Island (pp. 25 to 27).

Provenance: from the Breitenbauch library, with its armorial bookplate pasted on the endpaper.

A pleasing copy.

Deluxe issue, enhanced by a remarkable original drawing presented to Léon Werth.

First edition under this title with illustrations by Saint-Exupéry, one of 20 numbered copies on Madagascar paper, a deluxe issue. Published just days after the original edition without illustrations, issued by Gallimard (Lettres de jeunesse 1923–1931).

The work features 10 colour illustrations by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, as well as a cover vignette after a drawing by the author.

This copy is further enhanced by an exceptional blue and red pencil drawing by Saint-Exupéry on watermarked paper, inscribed in pencil on the verso: “Given to Léon Werth [dedicatee of The Little Prince].” A horizontal fold and a minor rust mark at the lower section, neither impairing the artwork.

First edition, comprising the original narrative of the discovery of the Kerguelen Islands, together with a memoir on Madagascar (pp. 154-169), and the portion headed “Observations sur la guerre de l’Amérique” (pp. 121-133, Sabin 3718).

Work illustrated with a folding map bound out of text (“Terres Australes ou partie septentrionale de l’Isle de Kerguelen”), bordered by eight smaller coastal charts or views.

Contemporary full marbled fawn calf, spine tooled in gilt with sawtooth motifs and floral devices; red calf title label with a minor loss at the foot; joints showing rubbing; boards framed in black along the leather edges; gilt fillets on the leading edges, partly faded; red edges.

Spine restored; a scattering of insignificant foxing; faint waterstaining at the top edge towards the close of the volume; a corner loss at the head of leaves 241-42, with the text entirely unaffected.

Seized under the ruling of 28 May 1783 for its dedication “à la Patrie”, the work saw many of its copies eliminated in the aftermath.

Born in Trémarec on 13 February 1734, Kerguelen died in Paris on 4 March 1797. “En mai 1771, il partait pour l'Océan Indien sur le Berryer et arriva en août à l'île de France. Avec la Fortune et le Gros Ventre, il vérifia la nouvelle route des Indes découverte par Grenier puis descendit vers le sud, découvrit en février 1772 les îles de la Fortune, prit possession des terres qui portent depuis son nom et rentra à Brest en juillet 1772. Promu capitaine de vaisseau, il repartit en mars 1773 avec le Roland et l'Oiseau. Arrivé en vue des terres australes en décembre, gêné par le mauvais temps, il dut remonter vers le nord, fit escale à Antongil (Madagascar) et rentra à Brest en septembre 1774 pour être accusé de commerce frauduleux et d'embarquement clandestin d'une jeune fille à son bord. Condamné en mai 1775 à être rayé du corps et emprisonné à Saumur, il fut libéré en août 1778 et arma aussitôt la Comtesse de Brionne à Rochefort avec laquelle il fit la course en mer du Nord” [Taillemite]. 

["In May 1771, he departed for the Indian Ocean on the Berryer and reached the Isle of France in August. With the Fortune and the Gros Ventre, he confirmed the new route to the Indies discovered by Grenier, then sailed south, discovering the Isles of Fortune in February 1772, taking possession of the lands that now bear his name, and returning to Brest in July 1772. Promoted to ship’s captain, he departed again in March 1773 with the Roland and the Oiseau. Upon sighting the southern lands in December, hampered by bad weather, he was compelled to return north, stopping at Antongil (Madagascar), and returned to Brest in September 1774, only to be accused of fraudulent trading and of clandestinely taking a young girl aboard. Condemned in May 1775 to be struck from the service and imprisoned at Saumur, he was released in August 1778 and immediately outfitted the Comtesse de Brionne at Rochefort, with which he cruised in the North Sea."] 

First edition, one of 74 numbered copies on Rives vellum, deluxe edition.

Beautiful copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on chiffon vélin paper, the only deluxe copies aside from a few out-of-commerce copies also printed on chiffon vélin.

A fine copy.

First edition, one of the numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.

A rare and attractive copy.

Preface by Jean de La Varende.

First edition, one of 5 numbered copies printed on Japan paper, the deluxe issue.

Bound in chocolate-brown half morocco, spine with five raised bands framed by black fillets, date gilt-stamped at foot; sides covered in cat's-eye paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers bound in, top edge gilt. A finely executed unsigned binding, slightly later.

A handsome copy in an appealing presentation.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Lana wove paper, a deluxe issue.
Handsome copy, untrimmed, despite some occasional foxing to the deckle edges.

First edition, illustrated with four plates including a map of the Sudan.

The plates depict human types and a map of Sudan, drawn "according to the Negro slaves in Bahia".

Modern Bradel binding in black half shagreen, smooth spine decorated with two gilt floral tools, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved (small hole on rear board).

A naturalist and explorer, Francis de Castelnau undertook, between 1843 and 1847, a major expedition across South America, notably visiting Peru and Brazil.

In 1848, he was appointed French consul in Bahia. Upon his arrival, he observed that several African-born slaves could read and write Arabic and Libyco-Berber. Through interviews, some of them spoke to him about the Niams-Niams, or tailed men, said to live in a region referred to here as "Sudan", corresponding to present-day Nigeria. In this work, Castelnau presents the information he gathered on the subject. He describes several tribes from the Sudan region represented among the Bahia slaves: Nagos, Gèges or Dahomeys, Gallinhas, Minas, Borgos or Bargous, Tapas, Angols or Congos, Hausas, Fulanis or Foullatahs. He then recounts the interrogations of Bahia slaves who claimed to have seen or heard of the Niams-Niams, thereby collecting a wealth of ethnographic and geographic information on that part of Africa. The volume ends with a vocabulary section in several Sudanese languages (Hausa, Fulani, Courami, Java).

A handsome and scarce copy.

Second edition, the first having been published in 1824 (cf. Gay 3389).

Our copy is preserved in its original wrappers, in blue paper with a plain temporary cover, and a title label affixed at the head of the spine.

Some minor foxing, a faint water stain in the right margin of a few leaves at the end of the volume.

At the age of twenty, Armand-Pierre Caussin de Perceval (1795–1871) departed for Constantinople as an interpreter. He travelled through Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, and served as a dragoman in Aleppo in 1820.

Upon returning to France, he was appointed to the chair of colloquial Arabic at the École des Langues Orientales, and succeeded his father in 1833 as professor of Arabic at the Collège de France, before being elected to the Académie des Inscriptions in 1849.

Original edition printed in a limited number of copies of this excerpt from Bulletin of the Société de géographie (1882-1883).

This text was re-edited in 1885 by Hachette.

Work illustrated with figures in the text and a large folding map at the end (Route from Médine to Nango by the Gallieni mission).

Binding in black half-shagreen, spine with five raised bands decorated with cold fillets, boards of handmade paper, preserved original covers, modern binding signed by Boichot.

Covers restored with some stains, pleasant interior condition.

Work illustrated with figures in the text and a large folding map at the end (Route from Médine to Nango by the Gallieni mission).

Joseph Gallieni (1849-1916) was sent on a mission to the banks of the Niger in 1879. It was there that he negotiated a commercial agreement between the Sultanate of Ségou and France, granting our country trade rights on the Upper Niger.

Autograph letter signed by Joseph Gallieni to his cousin Henri Périssé, dated from Fort-de-France, November 23, 1884 (after this African mission, Gallieni had been assigned to Martinique).

First edition, illustrated with numerous in-text tables.

Spine split with small losses, a restored tear at the foot of the upper cover, minor losses to the lower cover, internally well preserved.

Antoine-Paulin Pihan (1810–1879), who was proficient in Arabic, Turkish, and Persian, held the modest post of compositor in the Oriental Typography department at the Imprimerie Impériale. Yet the volume of his linguistic work reveals an orientalist of far greater depth than his official title suggests. This work documents a remarkable variety of numeral systems (see the alphabetical index at the end of the volume), ranging from Albania to Japan, and from Ethiopia to Mongolia.

First edition of this collection of observations and reports on French Algeria, whose pacification had just been completed (cf. Quérard VI 70, Playfair 1264. See also Gay 953 and Tailliart 812).

Contemporary bindings in half bottle-green sheep, flat spines decorated with gilt fillets and triple gilt panels, a gilt fillet framing a large plaque decorated with blind-stamped motifs on the percaline-covered boards, school stamp [Pensionnat de M. Ballé], marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, gilt fillets at head- and tailcaps, period bindings.

Some restorations to spine ends and joints; school prize labels affixed opposite the half-titles.

The work is sometimes attributed to Jean-Joseph, elder brother of Baptistin (1809–1864), who was more prolific and better known (success attracts credit): "Un des livres importants pour la description de l'Algérie ; il contient une foule de renseignements de toute nature et des vues personnelles sur un certain nombre de questions algériennes".

New edition, partly original as it has been revised and expanded, one of the advance review copies.
Handsome copy complete with the wrap-around band bearing the quote: "L'adolescence le bonheur et le suicide."
Signed autograph inscription by Gabriel Matzneff to his friend, the Belgian literary critic Pol Vandromme: "Pour Pol Vandromme, ce livre stoïcien et chrétien, en amical hommage. Gabriel Matzneff."
 

First edition of the French translation, one of 40 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on Arches wove paper, the only deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

First edition, one of 100 copies numbered on pur fil du Marais, the deluxe issue.
A handsome copy, despite a few insignificant foxing spots at the head of the upper cover.

In 1955, the book was splendidly adapted for the screen by Jean Delannoy, starring Jean Gabin, Robert Dalban, Serge Lecointe, Anne Doat and Jimmy Urbain.

First edition, one of 105 numbered copies on vélin neige, the only deluxe copies issued after 12 on pur fil.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies along with a few hors commerce also printed on alfa.
Fine copy.

First edition, one of 100 copies numbered on Renage wove paper, the only deluxe issue.

Bound in burgundy half shagreen with corners, spine with four raised bands ruled in black, date gilt-stamped at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers, gilt top edge.

A handsome copy in an attractive binding.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Pur Fil du Marais, the only deluxe copies, alongside a few hors commerce also printed on Pur Fil du Marais.

A handsome and scarce copy of this anti-Gaullist pamphlet.

First edition, one of 137 numbered copies on pure vellum paper, a deluxe issue following 80 copies on Montval paper.

A handsome copy.

First edition, one of the numbered copies on pur fil, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A fine copy.

First edition, one of 50 copies printed on Madagascar paper, ours being one of 20 hors commerce copies, from the deluxe issue.

A handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation, one of 50 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe issue.
Attractive copy, with minor foxing to the spine.

First edition, one of 158 copies printed on pur fil paper, following only 45 on Hollande.

A fine copy.

First edition, one of 110 copies printed on Arches wove paper, deluxe issue.
Handsome copy, untrimmed, illustrated with photographs.
Fine autograph inscription signed by Pierre Clostermann: "... en cordial hommage d'un \"chasseur\" des FADL qui maniait plus facilement son avion que la dédicace. Pierre Clostermann."

First edition, one of 275 numbered copies on Lana wove paper, the deluxe issue.

Illustrated with 31 hors-texte plates.

A fine, uncut copy, complete with its illustrated dust jacket.

First edition of this rare and sought-after work compiling, in a single volume, the main legislative and regulatory provisions from Year XIV to 1857, forming the specific legal code of the island (cf. Ryckebusch 6126).

Some light foxing, mostly at the beginning and end of the volume.

Contemporary full aubergine calf, spine with four raised bands decorated with gilt double fillets, slight rubbing to spine and boards, gilt roll-tooled head- and tailbands, boards framed with gilt triple and double fillets, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt dotted edges, marbled edges, contemporary binding.

First edition, one of 230 numbered copies on Vélin du Marais, the deluxe issue.

A handsome copy.

First edition of this uncommon study of the major international diplomatic crisis provoked by Mehmed Ali's expansionist policy (cf. Carré I, 294; Blackmer 261; Atabey 179; Walch, 398; Hage Chahine, 748).

Some foxing, occasional reading marks in pencil and red pencil in the margins of certain paragraphs.

Late 19th-century Bradel bindings in half khaki percaline, flat spines decorated with a gilt fleuron, gilt double rules at foot of spines, black shagreen title-pieces, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, corners rubbed.

At the end of the first volume, the work is complete with the folding plate representing the Battle of Nezib.

Edmond de Cadalvène (1799–1852) served as embassy attaché, then as director of the French postal service in Alexandria, Smyrna, and later Constantinople; his knowledge of the Orient, and particularly Egypt, was vast and multifaceted. As for the Saint-Simonian Émile Barrault (1799–1869), he followed a more conventional political path: he travelled to Egypt to accompany Father Enfantin in his quest for the Woman and universal regeneration...

New edition, intended as a supplement to the various collections of *Lettres édifiantes* (see Backer & Sommervogel II, 1075; Cordier, Japonica, 424).

Some foxing, minor scuffs, and small paper flaws on the boards.

Contemporary half grey calf bindings, flat spines decorated with blind-stamped romantic arabesques and gilt fillets, gilt decorative rolls at foot, small green vellum tips, boards covered with geometric-patterned paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges; romantic period bindings.

First reissue of the *Histoire de l'établissement, des progrès et de la décadence du christianisme dans l'Empire du Japon*, originally published in 1715 in three 12mo volumes. The Louvain edition (1828–1829) is a later Belgian counterfeit, published after our edition.

This was the first work by the Jesuit Pierre-François-Xavier de Charlevoix (1682–1761), compiled from existing sources (notably Crasset and Daniele Bartoli) before his own travels in North America. It should not be confused with his *Histoire et description générale du Japon* (1736, 2 vols. 4to).

A handsome copy in contemporary romantic binding.

Second edition, partially original (cf. Gay, 3227. Grandidier, I, 1776. Ryckebusch, 3188. Boucher de La Richarderie, IV, 269–271. Brunet, II, 1278).

Two volumes bound in one, illustrated with 15 engraved maps and plates: a map of the island of Madagascar, a plan of Fort Dauphin, maps of Sainte-Marie Island and Bourbon Island, depictions of inhabitants in traditional dress, genre scenes, flora and fauna.

The plates and maps have been mounted on thick paper; old repairs to pages 27 and 47.

Contemporary full calf binding, spine with five raised bands framed in gilt garlands, decorated with double gilt panels and floral ornaments, some rubbing to joints and boards; marbled endpapers and pastedowns, blind-ruled fillets to board edges.

Nephew of Jules de Loynes, Secretary General of the Navy and member of the Compagnie de l'Orient founded by Richelieu in 1642, Étienne de FLACOURT (1607–1660) was appointed Governor of Fort-Dauphin in Madagascar in 1648. He spent seven years on the island, seeking to exploit its resources and convert the local population to Christianity. He also explored nearby islands and took possession of the Mascarene Island, which he named Île Bourbon. Returning to France in 1655, he became the first traveller to provide a detailed description of Madagascar, with particularly notable ethnographic and botanical content: "Sa relation comprend deux parties. Dans la première, Flacourt fait une description générale de Madagascar, puis des descriptions particulières des provinces avec leurs rivières et les îles voisines : ces descriptions sont complètes et portent sur la religion, le langage, les usages et le gouvernement des habitants et aussi sur les plantes, les métaux et les animaux. La seconde partie est le récit des événements qui se sont passés depuis l'arrivée des Français dans l'île en 1642 : elle est complétée par la relation de quelques voyages qui ont été faits dans les îles voisines et dans les Mascareignes […] . Sans doute, il n'a pas tout vu et il ne peut pas tout rapporter : mais, après avoir bien étudié, il en arrive aux mêmes conclusions que son prédécesseur Cauche, dont il connaissait la relation, et, comme lui, il fait une peinture très enthousiaste des ressources végétales et minérales de Madagascar. Lorsque l'on a lu son livre, qui est le premier ouvrage sérieux sur la grande île, on comprend pourquoi la colonisation française n'a pas alors réussi malgré les grands avantages que l'on pouvait retirer de Madagascar. Dans l'édition de 1658 est une addition de 42 pages relative aux causes de l'insuccès que la Compagnie a eu : cette addition ne se trouve pas dans l'édition de 1661". Cf. Bourgeois & André, XI, 475.

This copy includes, bound at the end, a 17-page octavo pamphlet entitled "Cause pour laquelle les interessez de la Compagnie n'ont pas fait de grands profits à Madagascar". This text, extracted from the appendix of the original 1658 edition, has been inserted into the volume and is not part of the 1661 edition.

A handsome copy of this scarce work, complete with all its maps and plates.

Rare first edition of the French translation (not recorded by Sabin or Cordier).

Contemporary half calf bindings, spines with four raised bands ruled in gilt and adorned with blind-stamped typographic ornaments and gilt fillets, gilt Greek-key rolls at foot, marbled paper boards showing some scuffing with losses to paper at a few corners, marbled edges.

Some foxing.

The Scottish naval officer Basil Hall [Edinburgh 1788 – Gosport 1844], son of geologist and antiquary Sir James Hall, undertook numerous voyages as a Royal Navy officer to the East Indies, the seas of China, Japan, and Korea, the coasts of South America, the United States, and Canada, publishing detailed and engaging travel accounts. "Korea had been sketchily explored by Europeans but it was not until the Alceste and Lyra expedition of 1816-17 under Captains Murray Maxwell and Basil Hall that detailed information was obtained about the Ryukyus" Hill.

A handsome copy, finely bound at the time of publication.

Provenance: two bookplates mounted on the pastedowns, including that of the Bourbon de Rouvre family.

First edition, one of the review copies.
A very good copy.
Inscribed by Gabriel Matzneff to his friend, the Belgian literary critic Pol Vandromme: "Pour Pol Vandromme, avec l'espoir de le revoir prochainement en Belgique ou à Paris, amitiés fidèles. Gabriel Matzneff."
 

First edition on ordinary paper, with the printed dedication to Marshal Pétain.

Discreet restorations to the spine.

Our copy is housed in a chemise and slipcase of navy blue half morocco, smooth spine lettered with author, title, and date in palladium, decorated paper boards, grey paper pastedowns, slipcase trimmed with matching navy morocco and decorated paper sides; binding signed by Boichot.

An exceptional copy inscribed by General de Gaulle to Colonel Émile Mayer, his “great friend [...] without whom this book could not have been conceived,” as stated in the author’s own inscription, which continues: “Receive, my Colonel, my deepest gratitude and my profound respect.”

A visionary soldier and theorist whom de Gaulle would later acknowledge as his strategic mentor, Émile Mayer corrected the very proofs of this work, which is here presented to him in these warm lines. Fifteen years before the First World War, Mayer had predicted the trench warfare to come. From the 1920s, de Gaulle frequented the salon of this great thinker of military art, whose Jewish origins and Dreyfusard sympathies had subjected him to calumnious antisemitic attacks and suspension from the army between 1899 and 1907. Both Mayer and de Gaulle opposed the immobile dogma of the French General Staff. Their military prophecies proved extraordinarily accurate concerning the mechanisation of the modern army: “For fifteen years, they confronted the same themes, not without disagreements, and each evolved while enriching the other” (Milo Lévy-Bruhl). At their weekly lunches they exchanged perspectives on the future of corps and tactics, both convinced of the futility of the Maginot Line. Mayer favoured a strategy of aerial and chemical warfare, while de Gaulle advocated the use of armoured divisions. Despite their differences, Mayer actively promoted the ideas of his protégé, and assisted in revising France and Her Army—having been won over, after the shock of the reoccupation of the Rhineland, to de Gaulle’s ambition of creating a professional armoured army. De Gaulle addressed these remarkable words of gratitude to his mentor just two weeks before Mayer’s death on November 28, 1938, which grieved him deeply.

An exceptional presentation copy from General de Gaulle of his essential and visionary work on military strategy—a significant testimonial linking two independent spirits who revolutionised the theoretical understanding of national defence.

New edition bearing a false statement of 128th edition.

Half heather red morocco binding, spine with five raised bands set with black fillets, gilt fillet frame on boards of Africanist-patterned paper, almond green paper endpapers and boards, original wrappers preserved, restorations to boards, top edge gilt, binding signed by Boichot.
Autograph inscription signed by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry on the half-title page: "Pour madame Capietto. En souvenir de quelques passages à Alger et, cette fois ci, d'une semaine bien mélancolique. Et avec toute mon amitié.
Antoine de Saint Exupéry." (For Madame Capietto. In memory of some visits to Algiers and, this time, of a very melancholy week. And with all my friendship. Antoine de Saint Exupéry.)







 

Illustrated edition comprising 54 plates depicting twelve views and over sixty different costumes, along with monuments and picturesque scenes (including bullfights), most of them based on drawings executed in 1809 and 1810 (cf. Colas, 439; Lipperheide, 1214; Brunet, I, 1226, no. 3; Quérard, I, 506).

Contemporary half blond calf bindings, spines with four false raised bands adorned with triple gilt and black fillets, gilt rolls at head and foot, marbled paper boards with minor surface losses along the fore-edges, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges. Unsigned bindings, yet attributable to Thouvenin.

Scattered foxing, small tear on page 63 of volume 5.

"J'ai tâché d'offrir à mes lecteurs quelque chose de neuf […] Ce sont particulièrement des ouvrages en langues étrangères qui ont servi de base à ma description et au texte explicatif d'estampes jusqu'alors inédites pour la France. Sans négliger le voyage pittoresque de don Antonio Ponz, dont j'ai eu constamment l'original espagnol sous les yeux, j'ai recouru plus particulièrement à deux ouvrages publiés récemment en Angleterre, l'un en 1812, l'autre en 1813. Le texte magnifique de ces ouvrages est enrichi d'un grand nombre d'estampes qui ont été transportées dans le mien. M. Bradford, auteur du plus considérable des deux, étoit attaché en qualité de dessinateur à l'état-major de lord Wellington. L'autre, publié sous ce titre modeste, Costumes of Portugal, est rempli d'observations ingénieuses et piquantes…" (Preface, pp. V–VII).

The historical overview, spanning from the Carthaginians to Ferdinand VII, occupies volume 1; the second volume describes Catalonia and the kingdoms of Valencia, Murcia, and Granada. The next volume is devoted to the kingdom of Seville (including Cádiz and Algeciras), Gibraltar, the Jewish communities of Spain, Andalusia, and the kingdom of Galicia. Volume 4 covers the principality of Asturias, Old Castile, Biscay, and the kingdoms of Aragon, Navarre, and León.

The fifth volume continues with the kingdom of León, New Castile (including a description of Madrid), the kingdom of Córdoba, and Majorca.

The sixth and final volume is entirely dedicated to Portugal.

The charming period binding is by Thouvenin, who signed only one volume (La Suisse) of this impressive collection that has passed through our hands.

Provenance: from the library of Sinety, with an armorial bookplate affixed to the front pastedown of each volume.

First edition, illustrated with 39 full-page plates and numerous in-text vignettes (cf. Lorenz IX, 494).

Bradel binding in full brown buckram, smooth spine gilt-stamped with a floral tool, gilt double fillet at foot, green morocco label, modern binding signed by Lobstein-Laurenchet.

Some foxing, mostly to the first and last leaves.

A pleasant copy.

Very rare first edition illustrated with 4 maps and 2 plates out of text: map of Amsterdam Island, map of part of the northwest coast of America, of the northern mouth of Queen Charlotte Sound, plan of Bokerelle port on the northwest coast of America, sea wolves and sea lions (cf. Sabin 61001. Howes 7897. F. Monaghan 1174. Lada Mocarski 89. Gay 272. Ferguson 980. Hill 230. Borba de Moraes II, 663: "A description of Bahia appears in Vol. I").

Scattered foxing. Minor losses and rubbing to joints.

Contemporary full khaki green calf bindings, spines faded and decorated with raised false bands adorned with gilt garlands, dotted lines, and gilt rules, along with blind-stamped typographic motifs, cherry calf labels for title and volume numbers, joints restored, gilt roulettes on caps, gilt and blind garland borders on covers, gilt fillets on edges, marbled edges.

A naval officer, Pierre-François Péron was long involved in the fur trade between the northwest coast of America and China. He notably described parts of California (a journey to Monterey in 1796), Tasmania, New South Wales, Hawaii, and Sumatra. He provides highly valuable information on British Columbia and the Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands. According to Henry R. Wagner, Péron's full name (1769–1840) was Pierre François. He should not be confused with the explorer François-Auguste Péron (1775–1810).

A handsome copy preserved in a charming period romantic binding signed by Duplanil.

First edition, with no copies issued on deluxe paper.

Two unobtrusive creases to the front cover, a well-preserved copy.

Illustrated content.

First edition featuring the celebrated original color stencil "Aidez l'Espagne!", printed on Arches paper by Joan Miró.
With literary contributions by Christian Zervos on Pablo Picasso's "Guernica", as well as texts by Jean Cassou, Georges Duthuit, Pierre Mabille, Michel Leiris, Paul Éluard, René Char...
Illustrated with numerous reproductions of works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró’s "Le faucheur".
Some rubbing and small tears to the spine, as often, a vertical crease to the rear wrapper, otherwise a fresh and well-preserved copy.

First edition on ordinary paper, bearing the correct colophon dated August 25, 1978.

With a printed stamp to the upper right corner of the half-title page; publisher's price sticker affixed to the foot of the lower cover.
A handsome copy.

First edition, with no deluxe copies issued.
A pleasant copy.
Inscribed by Gabriel Matzneff to his friend, the Belgian literary critic Pol Vandromme: "Pour Pol Vandromme, en amical hommage. Gabriel Matzneff."
 

First edition on ordinary paper.
A well-preserved copy.
Concise yet striking presentation copy, inscribed and signed by Gabriel Matzneff to his friend, the Belgian literary critic Pol Vandromme: "Pour Pol Vandromme, torero de première classe, amicalement. Gabriel Matzneff."
 

First edition, one of 330 numbered copies on alfa paper.
Pleasant copy.

First edition, with no copies printed on deluxe paper.

A pleasing copy.

Signed autograph inscription from Yves Coppens to Emile Noël.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on China paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A pleasing copy.

Illustrated with plates by Louis Dunki.

First edition, complete with the 15 etched portraits by Jeanron.
At the beginning of the volume, the index listing the engraved portraits has been discreetly marked in pencil in the left margin beside each name.
Scattered light foxing.

Contemporary red half shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands framed by double gilt fillets and broad black rules, some rubbing to the spine, marbled paper-covered boards faintly and very marginally faded, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, one split to an edge.

"On June 28, 1970, I attended the first New York Gay Pride March. The date marks the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which launched the LGBTQ+ liberation movement in the U.S. We left from Christopher Street, a gay cultural mecca in Greenwich Village, and walked up 6th Avenue to Central Park. To end the day, a kissing contest was held in the middle of the park! It was a great moment of joy, love and freedom. This couple, who kissed for hours under an umbrella, obviously didn't care about photographers" (Interview with Clément Thierry, 2021)

First edition, one of the 100 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies ("grand papier").
Very nice copy.

First edition of the French translation, for which no deluxe paper was printed.
A pleasant copy.
We include the second volume, covering the period 1979-1994, published in 2005.
Rare handwritten signature of Alexandre Solzhenitsyn on the title page.

Original photograph depicting Charles Gounod, full face.

Vintage gelatin silver print mounted on cardboard, produced by photographer Isidore Alphonse Chalot at 18, rue Vivienne, Paris.

Autograph inscriptions in black then blue ink on the verso by the recipient, A. Lasserre, inspector at the Opéra Garnier: "Portrait de Ch. Gounod signé le soir de la 926eme représentation de Faust (samedi 29 septembre 1888) A. Lasserre."

Additional handwritten note in pencil in the right margin of the verso: 1867e représentation de Faust le 28 septembre 1929.

Printed stamp at foot of the verso: "Maison Martinet Albert Hautecoeur, 18, bd des Capucines."

Charles Gounod’s dated autograph signature to upper right corner of the photograph : "Ch. Gounod 29 7bre / 88."

First edition of the catalogue of the 33 works by Paul Cézanne exhibited at the Galerie Bernheim Jeune & Cie from Wednesday 1st to Saturday 18th December 1920.

Upper cover lightly sunned along the edges, printed stamp and shelf number to upper left corner of the inside front cover; otherwise a rare and attractive copy.

Some pencil annotations in the margins of a few of the listed works.

Catalogue illustrated with 10 reproductions of the artist’s works.

Introductory text by Octave Mirbeau.

New edition, partly original as revised, of this study first published in 1858 in the Revue des Deux Mondes (Sabin 40127. Ryckebusch 5041).

Minor chips to the corners of the covers, some occasional foxing.

A member of one of the oldest families in Martinique, Romuald Le Pelletier de Saint-Rémy (1809–1882) served as president of the Central Agency of Colonial Banks; he wrote extensively on West Indian issues and colonial ventures in South America.

Inscribed by the author Romuald Le Pelletier de Saint-Rémy on the front free endpaper.

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Madagascar paper reserved for the author, the smallest limitation on deluxe paper after the 2 copies printed on pure rag paper, also hors commerce, printed for Jacques Hébertot.
A very handsome copy.

First edition, (cf Röhricht p. 499. Hage Chahine 2893.)

Rare, light foxing without significance.

Binding in half green cloth, smooth spine slightly faded, decorated with cold fillets, a slight abrasion near the gilt title, marbled paper boards, sprinkled edges, binding of the period. Preliminary pages, departure of the expedition, Lebanon, excursion to Baalbek and the Cedars of Lebanon, military pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the French garrison in Lebanon.

First edition of the vocal and piano score of the opera Déjanire by Camille Saint-Saëns.

A few pencil annotations in the margins of certain staves.

Our copy is presented in a 3/4 shagreen clamshell box, spine with five raised bands framed by gilt garlands and decorated with gilt fleurons, gilt lettering at foot of spine: "Inscribed by composer". Boards, endpapers and pastedowns in marbled paper. Spine of the box slightly faded.

Inscribed, dated and signed by Camille Saint-Saëns to music critic Edouard Beaudu.

Rare first edition illustrated with an original frontispiece etching by Raoul Cordier, depicting an authentic portrait of Nasser-ed-Din.

Minor losses and tears to the soiled cover margins, with a larger marginal loss to the rear cover; clean and attractive internal condition.

The only edition of this biography written on the occasion of Nasser-ed-Din Shah Qajar's (1831–1896) second European tour. He ruled Persia from 1848 until his death and was the first Persian monarch to visit the West. The reforms he introduced to the country ultimately led to his assassination by a fanatic.

Inscribed and signed by Edmond Dutemple to Monsieur Brunet, with date.

First edition in French, one of 1,000 numbered copies on Annonay rag paper, the only deluxe paper copies.

Illustrated with numerous photographs. Preface by Maurice Herzog. Foreword by the Duke of Edinburgh.

Publisher’s full flexible boards binding. Lacking slipcase, spine sunned with minor tears at head and foot.

Rare and handsome autograph inscription, dated and signed by General John Hunt: "A M. Robert Moch vous témoignant notre reconnaissance de nous avoir préparé la trace jusqu'au sommet du signal de l'Iséran le 3 janvier - et pour vous exprimer nos regrets de ne pas l'avoir suivie ! John Hunt 7/1/54."

This copy is further enhanced with the handwritten signature of Edmund Hillary beneath the inscription.

First edition, one of 40 copies printed on Crèvecoeur du Marais paper, the only copies on deluxe paper.

A pleasant copy, despite a faint sunning at the foot of the spine.

New edition, with mention of the print run.
Illustrated.
Two losses to the spine; complete with its illustrated dust jacket, which shows small chips and angular tears. One gathering poorly opened with minor marginal losses not affecting the text.

Bookplate affixed to the verso of the front cover.

Rare signed presentation inscription by Albert Schweitzer: "A monsieur et madame André Fontan en souvenir de leur passage à Lambarené le 2.6.1963, avec mes bonnes pensées. Albert Schweitzer."

First edition on regular paper.
Pleasant copy.
Inscribed and signed by Jean d'Ormesson to Jacqueline Rendoing.




 

New edition. A steel-engraved portrait frontispiece, printed on China paper and mounted. Printed in very small type, arranged in two columns.

Full polished blond calf binding, signed by Thouvenin at foot of spine. Smooth spine with blind-stamped Gothic architectural elements heightened with gilt dots, gilt fillets and title. Covers blind-stamped with a large Gothic window surrounded by architectural ornaments. Multiple blind-ruled frames with corner fleurons and gilt fillets. Inner dentelles. All edges gilt. Joints discreetly cracked at head. Some foxing and occasional browning to a few pages. Minor rubbing. Spine slightly dulled. A handsome copy.

First edition, with no copies printed on deluxe paper.
Minor creases to the front cover, without consequence.
Amusing signed inscription by François Cavanna to a friend named Paul: "Pour Paul, ces galopardes, ces galipettes dans les coins noirs de l'histoire. Cavanna."