Paris

Autograph letter signed by François-René de Chateaubriand to Ferdinand Denois, written in Rome and dated 11 August 1829, 2 pages and two lines in black ink on a bifolium. A tear caused by the opening of the letter on the blank portion of the final leaf, not affecting text.

"I must also, Sir, thank you once again: my poor friend La Ferronays [the Minister of Foreign Affairs Auguste Ferron de La Ferronnays was to resign two weeks later due to poor health] has written to me that all his ailments have returned, that he feels unwell two or three times a day, and that he cannot consider returning to public affairs, etc. I believe that the interim will...

First edition, with no deluxe paper issue.

A small stain to the upper-left margin of the front cover; an attractive copy nonetheless.

Fine dated and signed presentation inscription from Annie Ernaux to the writer Christiane Baroche : "Voilà Christiane, je ne pouvais réellement écrire autre chose... Avec amitié AErnaux 6/01/88."

First edition, totalling 240 numbered copies, ours one of 10 copies on japon à la forme, the deluxe issue, complete at the end of the volume with its additional complete suite of illustrations in black as stated in the limitation.

Illustrated with 17 splendid pochoir plates in black, white, and gold by George Barbier.

A rare and...

First edition, with no deluxe paper issue.

A well-preserved copy.

Fine dated presentation inscription signed by Annie Ernaux to the writer Christiane Baroche: "Pour Christiane, avec notre vieille amitié, de tendre pensées 'fraternelles' AErnaux 16/01/92."

First edition including all the features of the first issue for Du Côté de chez Swann (Grasset printing error on the title-page, front cover with the date 1913, missing contents table, publisher's catalogue at rear). First edition on ordinary paper, one of the very rare first edition copies without a statement of edition for A l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs, from an edition of about 500 copies. Following volumes in first numbered editions on pur fil, only deluxe copies after the "réimposés".

Few small tears along the lower edge and a small crease mark to the upper cover of Du côté de chez Swann, with some foxing to the...

First edition (cf. Tailliart 2269).

Contemporary half cherry calf, the spines with five raised bands tooled with gilt pointillé and framed by double gilt panels, light rubbing to the spines and headcaps, marbled paper boards, hand-marbled endpapers, edges sprinkled.

Scattered foxing.

Drawing on a meticulous assessment of the Algerian situation ten years after the conquest, the author challenges the presumed merits of military administration and advocates the establishment of a fully civilian regime. The lawyer Evariste Bavoux (1809–1890) would later embark, in 1848, on a political career that led him to represent Seine-et-Marne in Parliament.

First edition illustrated with drawings by Jean-Jacques Sempé.

Publisher’s binding in full beige cloth, smooth spine, blue endpapers and pastedowns; a handsome copy complete with its illustrated dust jacket.

Dated and signed presentation inscription from Jean-Jacques Sempé to a woman named Christiane, embellished with an original drawing depicting a cyclist towing, in his trailer, an enormous flowerpot.

First trade edition, one of only 50 numbered copies printed on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.

Rare and very attractive copy in original condition.

First edition, one of the copies printed on vellum paper.

Minor, inconsequential loss at the foot of the spine; light foxing chiefly affecting the rear cover.

Very scarce presentation inscription signed by René Guénon to the French journalist, writer, royalist activist and later collaborationist Jean Héritier.

A rare and sought-after edition of the French Constitution, published the same year as the first edition, printed by Pierre-Samuel du Pont de Nemours, deputy to the National Assembly, who was also a journalist, philosopher, economist, and Franco-American diplomat. He worked as a bookseller-printer from 1791 to 1800 alongside the chemist Antoine de Lavoisier, then with his son Eleuthère-Irénée, founder of the world's oldest chemical company, E.I. du Pont de Nemours.

Contemporary full calf, smooth spines divided by gilt fillets, gilt floral...

Rare first edition.

Only two copies recorded in the CCFr (BnF and Lyon).

Modern full grey paper Bradel binding, smooth spine, long paper spine label, sprinkled edges.

At the time of publication, this pamphlet stood far ahead of contemporary thinking and anticipated the formation of the Second French Colonial Empire in Africa: assuming that France would retain and expand its recent conquest of Algiers, the author advances the notion of a French civilising mission among the Black populations of Africa, whom he considers with notable intelligence and openness.

Jean-François-Aimé Peyré (1792–1868) served as a judge at the civil court of Villefranche-sur-Saône.

First edition of the French translation, one of the numbered copies on chestnut paper.

Spine and boards faintly and marginally sunstruck, as often; small tears to the head and tail of the spine; minor pale dampstaining to the lower edge of the upper cover.

First illustrated edition with 85 drawings by Benett and a world map at the end of the volume. Publisher’s catalogue DS bound in at the end.
Publisher’s royal-blue cloth binding with the “two elephants with a fan” design, signed Souze and bound by Lenègre. Spine type D, lower cover type n. Head- and tailcaps and edges slightly rubbed, with tiny splits at the ends of the spine. A fine, bright front cover with brilliant gilt. Spine evenly darkened. Two small tears along the lower margin of the rear cover and a dark one-centimetre stain. Gilt edges perfect. Scattered foxing. A well-preserved and uniform copy.
Handsome copy, scarce in this colour.

First edition illustrated with a lithographed portrait of the author by Langlumé as a frontispiece (cf. Atabey 45. See Blackmer 60 and Weber 105 for the enlarged second edition, published the same year with a different frontispiece).

Half cherry calf binding, spine with four raised bands framed with gilt garlands, decorated with blind and gilt tooling, gilt rolls at head and tail, black morocco title-piece, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary binding.

Some light foxing, blind-stamped ex-libris of Giannalisa Feltrinelli at foot of first endpaper. Repair to the outer margin of the last two leaves, not affecting the text.

Stay on the...

Parisian first edition published simultaneously with that of Brussels. Seventh edition statement. Title pages in red and black.
Contemporary half black shagreen binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with blind compartments, series of bold fillets. Some scattered pale foxing on well-white paper. Handsome series agreeably bound.
 

First edition, one of 32 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.

Illustrated with 16 heliogravure plates, with a preface by René Schoeller.

A faint transverse crease to the head of the front cover.

A handsome and uncommon copy.

First edition on vélin d'Angoulême (laid paper), complete with all six banned poems, with the usual typographical errors.
Contemporary red half sheepskin binding, spine with four raised bands framed in gilt adorned with gilt fleurons, red glazed calico boards, marbled endpapers, speckled edges.

 Second issue of the first illustrated edition of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, distinguished by the small bat vignette on the title-page.

Publisher’s neo-Gothic binding in full brown polychrome cloth, the smooth spine gilt-stamped with an allegory of Notre-Dame de Paris, the boards adorned with an extensive gilt and polychrome design (red, blue, and pink) depicting scenes from Notre-Dame de Paris, yellow endpapers and pastedowns, shaded white flyleaves, all edges gilt, a characteristic Romantic publisher’s cloth binding. Spine evenly faded. Minute split at the head of the upper joint. One leaf detached, two others working loose. Occasional marginal foxing.

Work embellished with...

First edition, one of 80 numbered copies on Rives vellum, the tirage de tête.

Only the copies on Rives vellum are enriched with the watercolor by Man Ray which he signed and numbered in pencil.
Handwritten signature of Louis Aragon below the justification of the print.

A very beautiful and rare copy.

Black and white photographic postcard depicting a smiling Henri Salvador, his chin resting in his right hand.

A fine copy.

Signed autograph inscription by Henri Salvador in the upper left corner of the image.

Provenance: from the collection of noted autograph collector Claude Armand.

New edition.

Bound in navy blue half morocco with corners, spine very slightly faded with four raised bands framed by gilt fillets and adorned with double gilt compartments, one featuring an inlaid red morocco panel; blind-ruled border on moiré-patterned paper boards; marbled endpapers and pastedowns; original wrappers and spine preserved; top edge gilt. Binding signed by Mabilde.

Inscribed, dated and signed by Anatole France to Madame Maurice Guénot.

A handsome copy, elegantly bound.

First edition, one of 50 copies on pure thread paper, part of the deluxe issue.

Half aubergine morocco binding, smooth spine, lacquered marbled paper boards, aubergine paper endpapers and doublures, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, slipcase edged with aubergine morocco, aubergine paper sides, aubergine felt lining. An elegant binding signed C. & J.P. Miguet, dated 1990.

First edition of this issue entirely devoted to Le Douanier Rousseau.
Includes contributions by Guillaume Apollinaire, featuring "Le Douanier", René Dalize, Adolphe Basler, three poems and letters by Le Douanier Rousseau...
Illustrated with seven reproductions of Rousseau's works.
A rare and appealing copy despite minor marginal tears on the covers and a small stain along the right margin of the front cover.

First edition, printed in 200 numbered copies not for sale.

A fine copy.

First edition of the French translation by Georges Sautreau, review copy punch on the lower cover.

Spine slightly sunned, otherwise a pleasant copy.

Signed autograph inscription by Georges Sautreau, in Norwegian, to the philologist and literary historian Gunnar Fougner Høst, wishing him a joyful winter solstice: "Til Gunnar Høst glaedelig Jul Georges Sautreau Paris Nöel 1932;"

First edition in deluxe-paper, issued only a few days after the ordinary trade edition, which was printed in 950 copies on Marais paper. This copy is one of 200 numbered on Outhenin-Chalandre, the only deluxe issue. Rare signed presentation copy of Romain Gary’s first published work, inscribed: “À Roland Feuvrier, bien amicalement Romain Gary \ 15 nov. 1945.”

A pleasant copy despite a few small spots and minor marginal tears to the boards. 

Rare first edition illustrated with one table and two plates showing cranial shapes and portraits of the insane.

See Garrison Morton, 4922. En français dans le texte, 203. Kelly, p. 326. Foucault, Histoire de la folie, 523. Jan Goldstein, Console and classify, 65. Bariéty & Coury, 882.

Half calf binding with corners, smooth spine decorated with gilt floral and ornamental motifs, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, sprinkled edges; modern pastiche binding.

Some foxing mainly affecting the second volume.

Bound at the end of the volume is Jean-Etienne Esquirol’s "Des Établissemens consacrés aux aliénés en France, et des moyens de les...

First edition, one of 750 numbered copies on vélin paper, this not justified, the only printing along with 50 on Japan.

A good copy.
Aesthetic Surrealist autograph inscription by Benjamin Péret: '...Pourquoi la chevelure, me direz-vous? Oui, pourquoi? Parce que les cheveux remplacent les parapluies...' to his friend Léo Malet.

First edition.

A fine copy.
Inscribed and signed by Romain Gary.

First edition, one of 52 copies printed on Montval paper, ours being the second of 12 hors commerce copies, a deluxe issue.

Half anthracite-grey long-grained morocco, smooth spine lettered with the author’s name, title, date, and the palladium-stamped inscription “EXEMPLAIRE J. KESSEL”, abstract patterned paper boards, dove-grey paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, binding signed by Thomas Boichot.

Some light foxing mainly affecting the first and last leaves.

Exceptional and deeply moving full-page signed presentation inscription from Maurice Druon to Joseph Kessel: “Il fallait bien, mon grand Jef, que le premier livre que je...

Original colour print printed on laid paper and signed in the plate lower left.

Original engraving produced for the illustration of La Gazette du Bon Ton, one of the most beautiful and influential fashion journals of the 20th century, celebrating the talent of French designers and artists at the height of the Art Deco era.

First edition, one of 95 hors commerce copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe paper issue.

Half fawn morocco binding, smooth spine with gilt lettering of the author's name, title, date, and the mention “EX. J. KESSEL”, fawn paper boards, rust-colored endpapers and pastedowns, original covers and spine preserved, binding signed by Thomas Boichot.

Some foxing mainly affecting the covers as well as the first and last leaves.

Exceptional and moving signed autograph inscription from Maurice Druon to Joseph Kessel: "A toi mon grand Jef, prince des Cavaliers, avec la joie de t'avoir rejoint parmi les Immortels, cette histoire de famille en...

First edition, of which no copies were printed on deluxe paper.

A fine copy.

Precious signed presentation inscription from Robert Badinter: “Pour Christine Okrent et Bernard Kouchner ce livre sur la difficulté d’être libres et égaux en 1789, en amical hommage. R. Badinter.”

First edition, now rare according to Clouzot.

Endpapers partially toned, occasional scattered foxing, light dampstains in the upper margins of some leaves.
Contemporary half tan sheep binding, spine skilfully restored, marbled paper boards, first endpaper partly toned, a modest period binding (most copies were simply bound at the time, cf. Clouzot).
Exceptional signed autograph inscription by Victor Hugo: "A mon cher et respectable monsieur de la Rivière. Hommage de profond et reconnaissant attachement. Victor."
 

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies after 25 on vélin de lana.

Illustrated, with a preface letter by Pablo Casals.

Rare and appealing copy complete with its photographic dust jacket.

Autograph signature of Pablo Casals on the half-title page.

First collected edition.

Publisher’s full flexible boards, smooth spine.

Richly illustrated.

Inscribed and signed by Siné, with an original red felt-tip drawing depicting a little man holding a glass of wine and exclaiming: "À Gérard Verroust santé! Siné."

First edition.
Book illustrated with a lithographed cover by Joan Miró in seven colors, along with six color lithographs, including two original ones.
Text by Jacques Prévert and Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes.
Publisher’s flexible full paper binding, smooth spine, lacking the original rhodoid jacket.
Richly illustrated.
A handsome copy.

Our copy is enriched with an autograph inscription signed by Joan Miró accompanied by an original drawing depicting one of his characteristic figures, as well as an autograph inscription signed by Jacques Prévert, enhanced with an original drawing showing a little man offering a flower to the dedicatee.

New edition published three months after the first.

A pleasant copy.

Inscribed and signed by Boualem Sansal to a woman named Suzan.

First edition, with no deluxe copies printed.

Spine faded with a small tear at the foot.

Inscribed by Roland Barthes to Pierre Dumayet.

First edition, of which no deluxe copies were printed.

Boards slightly and marginally yellowed without significance; a pleasant copy overall.

Signed autograph inscription from Robert Badinter: "Au haut conseiller Frank, en témoignage d'amitié. R. Badinter."

First edition, one of 2,080 numbered copies on alfa paper.

Publisher’s binding designed from the original layout by Mario Prassinos.

Spine faded as usual.

First bilingual edition presenting the text in English with its facing French translation by Marie-Claude White, one of 28 numbered copies on vellum de Labna, the only deluxe copies printed.

Rare and handsome copy.

The rare first edition.

Half caramel morocco, spine in five compartments, marbled pastedowns and endpapers, restored wrappers preserved, marbled edges.
Foxed.

With an important autograph inscription signed by Honoré de Balzac to his friend Laurent-Jan, to whom Vautrin was dedicated, and the model for Bixiou, Léon de Lora and several other characters in The Human Comedy.
He was at the same time Balzac's best friend, trusted secretary, ghost writer and perhaps even… “beloved.”
“…the singular phenomenon of the inventor who moved, in 16^th century Barcelona, a vessel by steam past three hundred thousand spectators; that today...

Portrait of Tsuguharu Foujita, original photograph on albumen paper. Blue stamp of the studio "Photographie Simon's, 40 rue de Passy, Paris" on the back of the print.

Splendid portrait inscribed by Foujita on his birthday: "A Lolotte Rabinovitz / Avec mes amitiés / Je suis toujours / prêt à toi [sic] / à Yoshinoya New York / ma fête 27 nov 1930". "To Lolotte Rabinovitz / With my friendship / I am always / close to you / at Yoshinoya New York / my birthday 27 Nov 1930".

First edition of this issue of La Revue musicale dated December 1, 1930, entirely devoted to Serge de Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes.

With numerous contributions by Anna de Noailles, Gabriel Astruc, Maurice Brillant, Émile Henriot, Michel-Georges Michel, Mikhail Larionov, Auguste Gilbert de Voisins, André Warnod, among others.

Illustrated in black and in color with works by Jean Cocteau, Léon Bakst, Georges Braque, André Derain, André Dunoyer de Segonzac, Natalia Goncharova, Mikhail Larionov, Pablo Picasso, Maurice Utrillo, and others.

Two small light dampstains at the foot of the spine and rear cover, otherwise a pleasant copy.

First edition of the French translation prepared by Pierre Klossowski, one of 15 copies on pur fil paper, ours unnumbered but duly justified "pur fil", copy from the head of the print run.

A handsome copy.

First edition, no deluxe paper copies issued.

Complete copy with its illustrated dust jacket, showing as usual a few small marginal tears, two repaired tears at the foot of the spine, and a faint dampstain on the verso of the rear cover.

Rare signed and inscribed copy by Georges Brassens: "à yoyo amical souvenir georges brassens." 

First edition, no copies printed on deluxe paper.
Pleasing copy.

Signed autograph inscription from Robert Badinter: "Pour Claude Moncorgé, affectueusement, son cousin. Robert."

 

First French edition, no deluxe paper copies issued.

Minor, insignificant spotting to the edges.

A handsome copy.

Partly original edition, entirely revised and corrected.

Half red shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands framed with black fillets, gilt "N" at the foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, sprinkled edges, four bookseller's description labels pasted beneath the bookplate on the pastedown, contemporary binding.

A pleasant copy.

Provenance: from the library of Nadar with his celebrated engraved bookplate "Quand même !"

First edition, one of 340 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe paper issue.
Bound in brown half morocco with corners, smooth spine, marbled endpapers, original wrappers preserved.

Some discreet restorations to the spine and joints.
Our copy, with full margins, retains the folding genealogical table of the Rougon-Macquart.

First edition, illustrated throughout the text.

Some foxing, light rubbing without consequence to the spines, small losses of green paper on the endpapers.

Contemporary manuscript ex-donos on the endpapers as a gift.

Publisher’s full blue cloth, smooth spines decorated with black Greek key motifs, black Greek key borders on the boards, upper boards adorned with a marine illustration, publisher’s black monograms stamped on the lower boards, green paper endpapers and pastedowns, wrappers preserved.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt garlands, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edge, original covers and spine preserved.

Scattered foxing mostly affecting the edges.

First edition. One of 385 numbered copies on Vélin d'Arches. Six original lithographs by Georges Rouault and initialled by the author and the publisher, preface by André Suarès and catalogue of the E. Frapier gallery in fine.

The six lithographs are captioned and signed in the plate. Some foxing, shading caused by the protective paper facing the lithographs.

The copy contains an autograph post card signed by Georges Rouault to the publisher about the publication of the book:
“What a terrible job [...], don't change anything, I have reviewed it word for word – twice. I have retouched all the little sketches and the...

First edition of the French translation, one of 25 numbered copies on alfa vellum, the only deluxe paper copies.

Handsome copy.

Partly original edition, expanded with a preface and entirely unpublished fragments.

Bound in contemporary half black shagreen, spines with five raised bands decorated with gilt garlands, gilt dates at the foot, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers, gilt edges.

Some foxing, mainly at the beginning and end of the volumes.

Complete with the folding table bound at the beginning of the second volume.

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe issue.

Some minor foxing mostly at the beginning and end of the volume.

Inscribed and signed by Maurice Genevoix to Jacques Gommy: "... en pensant aux forêts qu'il aime, avec les hommages et les amitiés de Maurice Genevoix."

First edition, with no mention of copies on deluxe paper.

Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands framed by gilt garlands, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edge, contemporary binding.

Pleasant copy.

First 12mo edition, partly original as it is entirely revised.

Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt garlands, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edge.

Some foxing,

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

A pleasant copy.

Fine signed autograph inscription by René Bazin: "Pour monsieur Dubois en très amical hommage. Cette vie d'une sainte  - agressive et qui du reste n'avait pas la foi - Hervé Bazin. 18.9.52."

Autograph manuscript by the author, two and a half pages in-8, published in the issue of May 11, 1944 of the Journal des Débats. Complete manuscript in very dense handwriting, with numerous erasures, corrections, and additions. Literary column published on the occasion of the release of Gaston Bachelard's L'air et les songes. Accompanied by the complete typescript.

« L'homme est d'abord rêverie, puissance d'imaginer avant d'être sensibilité et raison », Blanchot’s analysis of this new essay by Bachelard provides an opportunity to confront the philosopher with the uncertainties of his theory, which tends to fragment in the plurality of its forms...

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Naopleon Bonaparte and published between 1809 and 1828, 1,000 copies were printed and distributed to institutions, on vergé paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark, visible when held up to the light.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Purple half-cloth Bradel binding, smooth spine with a gilt floral motif, gilt initials and double fillet at foot, marbled paper boards, lower corners rubbed, contemporary binding.

Spine sunned, a few small spots of foxing mostly affecting the margins of the leaves.

Precious presentation copy inscribed by Emile Zola to a major inspiration for Germinal: "A Yves Guyot son dévoué confrère. Emile Zola."

Edition adorned with original color illustrations by Alain Tercinet.

Publisher's full brick cloth binding, smooth spine, copy complete with its illustrated dust jacket showing minor marginal tears and a sunned spine.

Slightly warped copy, internally in pleasant condition.

Inscribed and signed by Alain Tercinet to Robert Sabatier.

First edition, illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of the author in the first volume, 6 maps and plans, and 70 engraved portraits hors-texte, including 65 depicting the Grand Masters of the Order of Malta. (cf. Brunet, V, 1149. Cohen 1011. Saffroy 5420.)

Some restorations to the joints, early marginal annotations at the bottom of pages, library stamp on all three volumes, the third of which is bound slightly differently with regard to the gilt tooling; a loss on the endpaper of the first volume, which has been partially cut out.

A good copy.

The illustrations are distributed as follows:

Volume 1: 1 frontispiece, 3 folding maps, and 26 full-page...

Illustrated edition with 192 color plates of military uniforms, chiefly from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, after watercolors by Job (see Colas I, 1549).

Texts by various members of La Sabretache.

Contemporary bindings in cherry red morocco-grain half shagreen, spines with five raised bands framed by black fillets, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edges, original wrappers preserved.

The illustrated plates are distributed as follows: in the first volume, 48 hand-colored plates numbered and captioned on their tissue guards; in the second, 48 unnumbered color plates; in the third, 48 unnumbered color plates; and in the fourth, 48...

First edition. One of 50 copies on Rives vellum, ours one of 15 hors commerce copies numbered in Roman numerals, a deluxe issue following 7 copies on Japan paper.

A fine copy with full margins, presented in a chemise and slipcase of half brown shagreen, smooth spine, sides in wood-grain paper, the ensemble signed by P. Goy & C. Vilaine.

The volume includes a full-page map of the city and its surroundings.

The author’s first book, it opens with the now famous sentence: "J'avais vingt ans. Je ne laisserai personne dire que c'est le plus bel âge de la vie".

On the half-title, signed autograph inscription in red ink by Paul Nizan to his publisher Frédéric...

First edition of the French translation, one of 200 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe issue.

Handsome illustrated cover by Paul Colin, the volume adorned with 16 previously unpublished illustrations.

Slight sunning marks at head and tail of spine.

A rare and appealing copy.