First edition published by Antoine Le Bouc in 1642 and later reissued for sale in 1684, with a cancel slip pasted over the original imprint, bearing the updated address of Antoine Vuarin. This intriguing bibliographical feature suggests that a portion of the original printing remained unsold. Notably, the work was never reprinted. Epistle addressed to Cardinal Richelieu.
Fine allegorical frontispiece by Avice. The illustrations include a genealogical chart of the House of Orléans; two genealogical tables of the House of Luxembourg; four plates demonstrating the Marquis de Gesvre's descent from Charlemagne; a plate detailing the quarterings of the Marquis de Noirmoustier's arms; a genealogical table of the Bourbons; and 106 in-text heraldic shields (approximately 10x15 cm), all engraved by Pierre Nolin.
Contemporary full brown calf binding. Spine with raised bands, richly gilt. Surface abrasion to upper board, and three wormholes. One small wormhole at the upper inner margin, developing into a narrow gallery from p. 60, then gradually diminishing. Minor tear (1 cm) in the outer margin of the Luxembourg genealogical plate. Lacks the preliminary blank before the frontispiece.
A very attractive copy, remarkably well-preserved.
Unique collection of documents (photographs, posters, etc.) and manuscripts relating to the confidential theatrical adaptation of Au beau rivage by an admirer from Le Mans of René Fallet.
In 1972, Claude-Denis Renard from Le Mans, a great admirer of René Fallet, contacted the latter so that he would accept a theatrical adaptation of his novel Au beau rivage published in 1970 and for which he received the Humor Prize. Animated by his usual kindness, the writer joyfully accepted, forgetting to inquire about the contingencies linked to the exploitation rights of the novel held by the production company Prothea, whose reaction was not long in coming. Indeed, Mme de Almeida, in charge of managing the Fallet file, expressed numerous reservations regarding the exploitation of the name "Au beau rivage." The play would finally be performed under certain conditions and its title would be transformed to "Bistro story" for only six exclusive performances in Le Mans.
The collection we offer consists of the following documents:
- An autograph letter (17x23.5cm) signed and dated 11/04/72, written on Hotel George V letterhead: "Moi aussi je suis content que toute cette vérole se soit arrangé (sic) au mieux. Je signe des trucs ou écris sans y prêter trop d'attention et puis cela me retombe sur la tête. Mais je suis aise que la gentillesse ne soit pas toujours punie [...] J'accompagnerai bien sûr madame d'Almeida au Mans. Trouvez moi donc un maillot de coureur taille 4 du club local, je fais collection de maillots, je viens de ramener de Bruxelles celui de champion de Belgique. Bonne chance pour "Bistrot story" (marrant) 13 à vous, R. Fallet" ["I too am happy that all this mess worked out for the best. I sign things or write without paying too much attention and then it comes back to bite me. But I'm glad that kindness is not always punished [...] I will of course accompany Madame d'Almeida to Le Mans. Find me a runner's jersey size 4 from the local club, I collect jerseys, I just brought back the Belgian champion's from Brussels. Good luck with 'Bistrot story' (funny) 13 to you, R. Fallet"]
- An autograph postcard (13.5x9cm) signed and dated 16/05/72, written on the verso of the reproduction of a photograph representing him with a doll, posted from his stronghold of Jaligny sur Bresbe in the Bourbonnais in which he thanks the director Claude-Denis Renard for his hospitality.
- Two typed letters (21x27cm) dated March 6 and 21, 1972 and signed by Mme d'Almeida typed on letterhead of the production company Prothea, managing the rights for "Au beau rivage" and authorizing the theatrical adaptation under certain conditions.
- An autograph letter (21x27cm) signed by the same and dated April 28, 1972, written on the same letterhead, ensuring the presence of René Fallet, difficult to reach in the middle of the resumption of the Belgian cycling season, at the first performance of "Bistro story" on May 7, 1972.
- A telegram (21x12cm) from Mme d'Almeida dated 28/05/1972 confirming her coming accompanied by Fallet to a performance
- The text of the play under the title "Au beau rivage" typed under cover bearing some annotations probably in Claude-Denis Renard's hand (21x29cm)
- The program of the theatrical adaptation under the title "Au beau rivage" and its cast (21x29cm)
- The small poster of the play "Au beau rivage" with three small marginal tears (29x42cm)
- The manuscript and illustrated mock-up with an original drawing representing the protagonists of "Bistrot story" on tracing paper (44.5x75.5cm)
- Two states of the large poster of "Bistrot story" on tracing paper (44.5x75.5cm)
- The small poster of the play under the title "Bistrot story" framed (26x42cm)
- Two black and white photographs of René Fallet, one original (18x13cm) in silver print and a reprint (18x12.5cm), taken during performances of "Bistrot story"
Unpublished autograph letter signed by Max Jacob addressed to Fernand Pouey. One page written in black ink on a sheet.
Two transverse folds inherent to mailing.
Remarkable letter in which Max Jacob asks a strange favor of his friend: "Un de nos amis explose [sic] des tableaux 76 Fg St Honoré galerie Charpentier le 4 avril. J'ai des obligations à son endroit et je voudrais lui montrer des sentiments d'ailleurs plus ou moins sincères. Tu peux certainement signaler au critique d'art de la maison cette peinture sûrement honorable." ["One of our friends is exploding [sic] paintings 76 Fg St Honoré galerie Charpentier on April 4th. I have obligations toward him and I would like to show him feelings that are more or less sincere. You can certainly point out to the house art critic this surely honorable painting."]
The mysterious "friend" mentioned in this letter could be the painter Balthus, who exhibited at the Galerie Charpentier in early April 1935.
First edition for which was no grand papier (deluxe) copy.
Pleasant copy of this work which received the Prix Fémina in 1984.
Rare and precious handwritten inscripttion, dated and signed by Tchicaya U Tam'si to Régine Deforges: “Pour Régine Deforges qui a écrit quelques mots que j'aurais voulu mettre en guise de dédicace mais ma mémoire est moins fidèle que moi. à elle toute la poésie de ce 'roman'.” (“For Régine Deforges who wrote some words that I would have liked to include as a dedication but my memory is less faithful than me. To her, all the poetry of this 'novel'.”)
Provenance: from the library of Régine Deforges.
First edition, no deluxe paper copies were issued.
With a precious signed autograph inscription by Jacques Higelin to Régine Deforges : “To my lady Régine Deforges, the tender greeting of my twenty springs, which I lay today at the doorstep of your heart's secret garden.”
Provenance: the library of Régine Deforges.
A handsome copy.
First edition printed from the Vatican archives, one of 27 numbered copies on pure linen paper, deluxe copy.
Rare and fine copy.
Commentary by Raymond Ritter.
First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on superior vellum, ours one of 5 hors commerce copies, the only deluxe copies.
Spine sunned, otherwise a handsome copy.
Rare.
First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on deluxe paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards marginally sunned, small lacks to the plastic film covering the boards at their margins.
First edition of this selection of poems on the Resistance.
Publisher's full yellow cloth binding, complete with its illustrated dust jacket and cellophane wrapper which has a lack to the head of the rear panel.
Fine autograph inscription signed by Lucien Scheler, alias Jean Silence, to Robert Gallimard: "... cette lampe-tempête souvenir du temps mort, avec l'amitié de Jean Silence."
