Pierre Douville

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Hollande, the only deluxe paper.
Illustrated cover by Antoon Van Welie.
Full burgundy morocco, spine with five raised bands ruled in black, date gilt at foot, gilt rolls on the caps, moiré-effect endpapers and pastedowns, gilt-tooled dentelle borders on pastedowns, original covers and spine preserved, all edges gilt, double gilt fillets on the edges, elegant period binding signed Yseux, successor to Simier.
Our copy is enriched with a two-and-a-half-page autograph letter signed by Jean Lorrain to Laurent Tailhade, in which he recounts the vexations he suffers as a journalist regarding an article he wishes to publish reporting on a recent lecture by his correspondent: "... je me suis heurté à un si mauvais vouloir, à un tel parti pris d'inertie pour l'aventure que j'avais savamment élaborée autour de votre conférence...", "les secrétaires de direction sont le désespoir des journalistes..." Finally, Jean Lorrain, unwell, apologises for being unable to attend the lectures given by Laurent Tailhade.
A very handsome copy, perfectly bound.
Provenance: from the library of Henri Thuille, with his bookplate pasted on a pastedown.

First edition, one of 68 numbered copies on Holland paper.
Some foxing affecting mainly the first endpaper and certain leaves at their margins.
Preface by Henri Chaputot.
Our copy includes, as stipulated in the justification page, the manuscript letter by Jean Lorrain, ours on two Bristol papers, one recto-verso, envelope included.

First edition printed on ordinary paper.
Full red velvet binding, smooth spine, brown shagreen title-label with a small marginal lack, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, illustrated first cover by Van Wélie preserved.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Jean Lorrain to Monsieur Coudert.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Half black shagreen binding with corners, spine with four raised bands set with gilt fillets decorated with a gilt fleuron, gilt initials at foot, gilt fillet frame on snakeskin-pattern paper boards, snakeskin-pattern paper endpapers and pastedowns, bookplate pasted on endpaper, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.
Autograph inscription signed by Jean Lorrain to Paul Padovani: "Le crime des riches qu'il côtoie tous les jours..." ["The crime of the wealthy whom he rubs shoulders with every day..."]
Some passages of the text underlined in blue pencil.
Handsome copy.

First edition on ordinary paper, of which there were only 10 large paper on Hollande.
With an autograph inscription from Jean Lorrain.
A small hole and tiny lack to the margin of the first endpaper.
Beautiful illustrated cover by Van Wélie.

First edition on ordinary paper, from which only 10 deluxe copies were printed on Holland paper.
Full mouse-grey cloth binding, smooth spine, red shagreen title-label, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, modest contemporary binding.
Handsome interior condition.