Paris (France)

First edition, one of the rare copies on Holland paper of which no mention is made

Half cherry red morocco binding, spine with five raised bands set with gilt dotted lines decorated with double gilt compartments richly embellished with gilt typographical motifs as well as mosaic pieces of havana morocco, gilt date at tail, double gilt fillet frame on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt retaining deckled edges, contemporary unsigned binding but attributable to Lancelin.

Fine copy perfectly executed.
Provenance: from the library of Paul Ollendorff.

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

Half havana morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt stippling and ornamented with double gilt compartments richly embellished with gilt floral motifs as well as a mosaic navy morocco piece, gilt date at foot, light rubbing to spine without consequence, frame of gilt fillets on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, top edge gilt retaining its deckled edges, contemporary binding signed by Lancelin.

Work illustrated with a portrait of the author on the cover and title page.
Handsome full-margined copy in fine condition.
Provenance: from the library of Paul Ollendorff.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Holland paper, this copy bearing No. 1, the only deluxe copies.

Half dark green morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt stippling and ornamented with double gilt compartments richly embellished with gilt typographical motifs, gilt date at foot, frame of gilt fillets on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, top edge gilt retaining its deckled edges, contemporary binding signed by Lancelin.

Handsome full-margined copy in fine condition.
Provenance: from the library of Paul Ollendorff.

First edition, for which there is no mention of large paper copies.
Contemporary Bradel binding in half khaki cloth over marbled paper boards, the spine with gilt floral motif, a double gilt fillet at foot of spine, red shagreen title label (small marginal scratches), one lower corner rubbed.
A rare and precious autograph inscription from Alphonse Allais to his publisher Paul Ollendorff : "... le seul éditeur vraiment digne de ce nom, hommage d'un auteur qui n'est pas non plus dans une potiche [the only publisher really worthy of that name, homage from an author who is also not on a sinecure".
Provenance : library of Paul Ollendorff. 

The rare first edition of the two volumes published respectively in 1724 and 1726. It is illustrated with 2 head-piece vignettes, 8 pages of musical scores, a cabalistic tree printed separately, the Samaritan Alphabet, 2 plates of coins and 2 figures also printed separately.

Copy with arms stamped on the covers and within each compartment from the library of the Abbey of Saint-Victor. The Abbey of Saint-Victor was one of the oldest abbeys in Paris (on the site of the University of Jussieu and the Jardin des Plantes) and one of the great intellectual centers of the medieval West; its rich library was opened to the public in the 18th century with the addition of new buildings. The abbey was destroyed during the Revolution and most of its collections joined the Bibliothèque nationale.

Contemporary bindings in full glazed blonde calf. Raised band spines decorated. Red morocco title labels, volume labels rubbed, as well as the library label at the foot. Headcap of volume I worn with upper joint cracked at head. A loss at the head of volume II; upper joint exposed with a loss at foot. Some corners slightly bumped. Despite the defects, a very handsome copy, with fine tooling and beautiful arms.