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First edition of the French translation by Eugène Guillevic, printed in 35 copies numbered and signed in the colophon on japon ancien, ours one of the 10 hors commerce lettered copies.
Presentation copy, signed and inscribed by Hélène Iliazd to Claude Nardin in pencil in the colophon.
A rare copy complete with its folders and guards made of various papers, its folded parchment chemise with a large outward flap, and its blue cloth chemise and slipcase.
This first edition, conceived and produced by Hélène Iliazd and Ania Staritsky in memory of Iliazd, contains an unpublished poem by the Russian poet, with his autograph Russian manuscript in facsimile along with its French translation by Eugène Guillevic.
The work is illustrated with 6 original copper plates by Staritsky, including 2 double-page plates; the artist also designed the book.
We include the invitation card for the opening presentation of the book by Hélène Iliazd at the Alexandre Loewy bookshop on Tuesday 1 February 1983.
Our copy exceptionally contains a signed autograph letter from Hélène Iliazd to Claude Nardin (two pages with its envelope), concerning the distribution of the work and an invitation to the gallery opening.
Edition of this work of popular science, composed in prison by the celebrated Brazilian anarchist and philologist José Oiticica.
Minor losses at the upper headcap, spine sunned as is common, together with some wear and a split at the lower left joint measuring 4 cm, and very slightly split at the upper joints as well, offsetting and marginal colour loss to the boards, small tear at the head of the rear board, untrimmed edges.
Minute tear to the margin of the half-title, two old longitudinal folds to the first few leaves.
First edition printed in 35 numbered copies on B.F.K. de Rives paper, signed by Michel Seuphor and Ania Staritsky at the colophon, our copy one of the few hors commerce.
Illustrated with original engravings by Ania Staritsky.
A rare and pleasing copy, complete with its chemise and matching brown cloth slipcase.
Our copy, like the first 10 copies, is exceptionally enriched with an original collage signed by Ania Staritsky, a 9-line manuscript text signed by Michel Seuphor, a suite of all the engravings by Ania Staritsky, and finally, in pencil, an autograph inscription signed by Ania Staritsky: "Le manchot inspiré à son bras dévoué. Staritsky."
First edition of this work published by the Société du Bout-du-Banc, the celebrated literary salon presided over by Mademoiselle Jeanne-Françoise Quinault and the Comte de Caylus. This intimate circle, originally comprising eight members, would gather on Mondays at dinner to exchange ideas and to write; at the close of each meal, every distinguished guest was required to set down a few lines — whether in the coarse poissard style or in a more refined vein — on paper. It was in this context that Les Fêtes roulantes, ou les regrets des petites rues came into being, in the wake of the celebrations held in Paris in honour of the Dauphin's second marriage, to Marie-Josèphe de Saxe.
Pastiche binding in plum half-shagreen, spine with five raised bands framed by gilt dotted fillets and six compartments decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, marbled paper boards, gilt top edge, pastedowns and endpapers in shell-pattern marbled paper.
Some minor rubbing to the paper of the lower board, corners slightly bumped.
First edition, one of 119 numbered copies on edition paper, the only issue after 1 on chine, 10 on japon and 20 on hollande paper.
Contemporary half hazelnut shagreen with bands, smooth spine slightly faded, boards covered with wood-patterned paper, light rubbing to the corners and to the right margin of the upper board, wood-patterned endpapers and pastedowns, covers preserved and slightly discoloured at the margins.
A pleasing copy internally.
First edition, at one time attributed to Bernard Le Bouyer de Fontenelle, on the loves of a shepherd of illustrious lineage: Mirtil, son of Venus and Adonis. Complete copy with its engraved title page by Louis Legrand and its six plates drawn by Hubert François Gravelot and engraved by Louis Legrand.
Half marbled calf binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with dotted gilt fillets, five compartments richly gilt with fillets and fleurons, pebble-pattern marbled paper boards, red edges, pastedowns and endpapers also in pebble-pattern marbled paper, pastiche binding in fine condition.
A few discreet marginal dampstains.
First edition, no copy recorded in the CCF.
Modern bradel binding in full burgundy cloth, spine ruled in gilt.
First leaf restored to the right margin with an adhesive repair, some light foxing, dampstain to the upper margin of the opening leaves.
A native of the Briançonnais (Villeneuve-la-Salle), like many booksellers who settled beyond the Alps, Yves Gravier established himself in Genoa in the second half of the eighteenth century, first in partnership with Louis Fantin, and subsequently on his own.
His parents Jean, Thomas and Simon Gravier were likewise active in Italy (Thomas in Rome itself).
In 1839, the firm was placed into liquidation.
Bound in at the end are three further lists issued by the same bookseller:
I. Catalogue des livres de mathématique, marine, physique, minéralogie, et sciences, et arts qui en dépendent, etc., qui se trouvent chez Yves Gravier (..). S.l.n.d. [Genoa], 28 pp.
II. Catalogue des livres de jurisprudence, de droit public, et d'économie politique. S.l.n.d. [Genoa], 8 pp.
III. Médecine, chirurgie, botanique, physique et histoire naturelle. S.l.n.d. [Genoa], 8 pp.
Complete anonymous manuscript of 23 pages (plus title page and table), from the first half of the 19th century, entitled: Cap de Bonne Espérance. 1er cahier.
Our manuscript is presented in a navy blue half shagreen folder, marbled paper boards, housed in a slipcase edged with navy blue shagreen, marbled paper boards.
An account of a stopover at the Cape, a city under British rule, which, according to the anonymous author, retains many traces of its Dutch past.
Description of the town, its geographical setting, its buildings, churches and houses, whose cleanliness contrasts with the dirt and the smell of meat prevailing in most of the streets.
This is followed by the narrative of an excursion in the surrounding area, to Constance, where the author appreciates the wine of the proprietors he visits, and then of the ascent of the famous Table Mountain overlooking the Cape.
Press clipping comprising a photograph of Joséphine Baker in stage costume, signed and dated by her in black felt-tip.
A fine example.
Printed calling card of G. Clemenceau bearing the following autograph addition: "avec tous mes remerciements. GC."
A fine copy.
Autograph letter signed and dated September 26, 1955, by Georges Simenon, addressed from Cannes to André David.
18 lines in black ink on one leaf bearing his American address in Lakeville, Connecticut.
Mailing fold as usual.
Georges Simenon apologizes for his delayed response: "mais j'étais en plein roman. Parbleu ! si je me souviens de vous !" and indicates his upcoming availability to his correspondent, even specifying his future address in Cannes. He authorizes André David's project to adapt his novel "Maigret et la Grande Perche" for the screen, while setting his terms: "vous pouvez travailler sur La Grande Perche mais, bien entendu, mon acceptation ne peut dépendre que du résultat (duquel, d'ailleurs, je ne doute pas). Tenez-moi au courant."
Autograph letter dated June 10th (1929) and signed by Somerset Maugham addressed in French to the writer Marcel Prévost, who had just sent him an inscribed copy of his book "L'homme vierge".
27 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page on Villa Mauresque letterhead from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, printed stamp of Marcel Prévost's library in the upper right corner of the letter.
Mailing folds as usual.
Somerset Maugham thanks him for the inscription and praises the innovative literary qualities of his correspondent: "... je vous remercie infiniment. Je l'avais lu quand il s'appelait Amal et suis très content de le posséder maintenant en forme plus permanente. Vous avez quelque chose d'extraordinaire, ce don de vous renouveller avec chaque oeuvre ; on ne commence jamais un de vos romans avec la sensation fatigante qu'on va lire quelque chose qu'on a déjà à peu près lu."
Somerset Maugham also expresses his admiration for the number of works published by Marcel Prévost: "Je viens de lire la liste de vos oeuvres ; c'est vraiment impressionnant, voilà le conteur né. Et qu'est-ce qu'il y a de plus rare ?"
Autograph letter signed by Thomas Mann, in French and on the headed paper of the Hôtel Regina, 2 place des Pyramides, Paris, addressed to the journalist (Claude Morgan).
10 lines in blue ink on a single leaf, a stain affecting the "14" of 14 May 1951, creases consistent with having been folded for mailing.
"14 Mai 1951
Cher monsieur,
ayant prolongé mon séjour à Paris d'un jour, je vous donnerais avec plaisir une courte interview ce soir à six heures trente. Avec l'expression de mes meilleurs sentiments. Thomas Mann."
First edition, one of 605 numbered copies on pur fil d'arches, this copy being one of the 20 hors commerce lettered name copies, including an additional suite on papier à la main du moulin Richard de Bas.
A few minor foxing spots to the front wrapper; slipcase and chemises split at several joints.
17 woodcuts engraved with a knife by Lucien Jacques.
Our copy is complete with its additional suite of the 17 illustrations on papier à la main du moulin Richard de Bas.
Signed and dated 1968 by Jean Giono to Monsieur Lachaud.
An intriguing first edition, complete with its engraved frontispiece of the author by Giovanni Volpato after Domenico Corvi, and its introductory poem by the Abbé Luigi Godard. A copy unrecorded in non-European libraries according to WorldCat.
Contemporary binding of fawn mottled calf, smooth spine divided into five gilt compartments by gilt rolls, brown morocco lettering-piece, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, double gilt fillet on the board edges, blue speckled edges, and shell-pattern marbled pastedowns and endpapers.
The lower cap lacking, some surface wear to the spine and corners, the upper joint slightly split for several centimetres, a few discreet wormholes and small areas of loss to the leather on the boards, light rubbing to the edges; the interior in very good condition.
A marginal tear to p. 51 very slightly affecting the text, and a marginal stain to p. 47.
A new duodecimo edition of the most celebrated work by the writer and historian Charles Pinot Duclos, published in the same year as the first edition. According to the Dictionnaire des ouvrages anonymes et pseudonymes of 1822, "the edition without place of publication, 1751, 12mo, in large type"—the present edition—"should be preferred to that bearing Prault's name, 1751, which contains a dedicatory epistle to the King." (our own translation)
Fine contemporary binding in polished tan calf, spine with five raised bands, highlighted with a gilt roll, decorated with five compartments richly gilt with mascles and ermines, repeated on the boards within a blind fillet border, brown morocco lettering-piece, gilt fillet on boards edges, edges stained red, turn-ins tooled in gilt palmette pattern, oak-leaf patterned pastedowns and endpapers. A copy stamped with the heraldic charges (ermines and mascles) of the Rohan family, or more precisely of the Rohan-Guémené, Rohan-Rochefort, or Rohan-Soubise branches.
Joints slightly split for 2.2 cm and 0.5 cm on upper boards, light rubbing to board edges and corners, three library labels affixed to upper pastedown and verso of front free endpaper. Minor marginal tears to p. 281 and pp. 361-366, author's name annotated in black ink on title page: "Par Mr. Duclos de l'Acad. franç."
Pirate edition from the same year as the first edition of this bible of chess strategy, published by Philidor at the age of twenty-two.
Full olive morocco binding, dentelle boards framed by a gilt roulette motif, central gilt decoration in mandorla shape composed of a quatrefoil formed by basket-handle motifs richly decorated in gilt inside the lobes, gilt edges, top spine-end slightly rubbed, corners bumped, some rare spots of foxing, binding attributable to René-François Fétil, pupil of the great Padeloup, based on numerous tools found on bindings bearing Fétil's ticket and listed in Giles Barber, The James A. de Rothschild Bequest at Waddesdon Manor. Printed Books and Bookbindings, 2013 (DCT 38 "Long, cornet-shaped ornament with a floral top", FR 16 "pair of fronds with a large double-sided base leaf and two smaller leaves above; plain curl end").
The greatest chess treatise, in an elegant dentelle binding, from the library of the famous chess player Lothar Schmid, chess grandmaster and arbiter of the XXth century, who assembled the largest and most prestigious private chess book collection in the world (according to Allan Savage, Caissa's Legacy: The Great Chess Libraries).
First edition of this in-folio broadside signed "Phelypeaux", printed on one side only and in two columns.
A scarce and pleasing copy despite traces of central folding.
First edition of a poetry collection printed in a very small number of copies.
No copy recorded in the CCF. A single copy held in WorldCat (National Library of Australia).
Light, scattered foxing.
Half brown percaline Bradel binding, smooth spine, date and place gilt at the foot of the spine, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, corners slightly rubbed, contemporary binding.
Manuscript of 4 pages, in black ink on a double sheet, signed Perès and Grasset frères, Pitteu & Cie. Saint-Marc, 30 June 1785, entitled Compte de dépense & de recette pour l’habitation de Monsieur le Vte de La Bourdonnaye.
and [On the verso:] Etat des naissances de Nègres et mortalités & crues et déficits d’animaux [and] Etat des revenus fabriqués sur l’habitation de Monsieur le Vte de La Bourdonnaye. *
The vicomte de La Bourdonnaye’s habitation was a sugar plantation located at Les Verrettes, in the vicinity of Saint-Marc.
Presented on a double sheet, this account of expenditures and receipts covers the period from 1 January to 30 June 1785.
Among the expenditures are listed the steward’s salary, gratuities granted, notably to the sugar master, the purchase of supplies, and above all provisions acquired for the workers and enslaved labourers: « Pour la nourriture de Dussolier neveu pendant 80 jours qu’il a resté sur l’habitation à faire les deux moulins à 5 l. par jour, 400. Pour id. de 4 mulâtres ses ouvriers pendant 80 jours à 30 s. chaque par jour, 480. Pour id. de 6 Nègres ses ouvriers, pendant 80 jours à 15 s. chaque par jour, 360 » (20 March 1785).
Reference is also made to marronnage: « Payé à Francisque pour sa nourriture & celle de son mulet lors de son voyage au Mirebalais pour chercher Charles mulâtre qui étoit marron » (8 March).
The receipts record, for reference, the sums settled by Grasset frères, Pitteu et Cie on behalf of the plantation.
One reads thus: « Pour prix & frais de geôle du mulâtre Charles arrêté à l’Espagnol et pour son passage du Port au Prince icy, lesdits ont payé 535 l. 10 s. » (16 May). « Lesdits ont payé à Dussolier charpentier pour la façon d’un moulin à bête, fourniture de bois compris, 7000 l. » (30 June).
The total sum received from Grasset frères, Pitteu et Cie to settle the half-year’s expenses is then stated, amounting to 6,897 livres.
On the verso are summarised the births and deaths among the enslaved population during this period, together with their number as of 30 June 1785: « 84 Nègres, 93 Négresses, 41 Négrillons, 17 Négrittes », for a total of 235 enslaved persons.
The final page records the proceeds from the sale of casks of sugar, namely 208,538 livres for the first half of 1785.
A significant document concerning a Saint-Domingue plantation.
First edition of one of the many productions of an odontological charlatan (cf. David, p. 245).
Illustrated with a portrait of the author as frontispiece.
Spine clumsily restored with an adhesive repair and showing small losses; corner losses to the boards; foxing.
Born into a Dutch Jewish family, Benjamin Cohen (1818–1852) adopted an Anglicised pseudonym in order to facilitate his business dealings, passing himself off as a London practitioner holding a degree from the University of Edinburgh, where he claimed to have been "admitted" in 1833. In reality, he had undertaken no formal studies.
Nevertheless, he set himself up as a dentist in Paris in 1836. Lacking any recognised qualification, he was convicted at first instance (December 1845) and on appeal (February 1846) for the illegal practice of medicine, following a complaint brought against him by Joseph Audibran and several other members of the Société de chirurgie dentaire de Paris. This judgment was, however, quashed in May 1846, the Court of Cassation ruling that the practice of dentistry did not constitute medicine so long as it did not extend to the treatment of diseases of the mouth.
First edition of this in-folio printed broadside signed "Phelypeaux", printed on one side only.
Visible fold marks to the broadside.
Extremely rare collection of three works, in original anonymous editions, devoted to the Eastern Question and the policy France should adopt to counter Russian ambitions in the Ottoman Empire.
The author is believed to be one Mignonneau, a former war commissioner.
Bound in full mottled calf, smooth spine richly decorated with gilt crossbands, brown calf title label, rubbing to joints and spine, gilt roll partially faded on head and tail, triple gilt fillet framing boards, handmade paper endpapers and pastedowns, gilt turn-ins, corners slightly worn, all edges gilt, contemporary binding.
Minor angular losses to boards, light dampstaining to lower margin of leaves in the second work.
The set comprises the following:
1) "Considérations politiques, par M.***"
(S.l., 1783, title and 77 pp. First edition. (cf. Conlon 83: 1465. N.U.C.: NM 567505.))
2) "Ces réflexions devoient, avec beaucoup d'autres, faire suite aux Considérations politiques ; mais le tout n'étant pas encore rédigé, les circonstances du moment m'ont déterminé à faire paroître celles-ci sur-le-champ."
S.l.n.d. [c. 1783], 44 pp. with simple title. First edition. (cf. Conlon 83: 1464 locates no copies in France. N.U.C. locates only one copy at the Library of Congress. The RLG Union Catalog mentions another at the University of Chicago.)
The first half of this work is devoted to the invasion of Crimea, the second to Russia's claims regarding the "etiquette of the court" governing international relations and their true significance.
3) "Lettre à M. le Comte de ***, octobre 1784".
S.l.n.d. [c. 1784], title and 49 pp. First edition. (cf. Conlon 84: 1533 locates no copies in France. N.U.C. mentions only the copy at the Library of Congress.)
This third work denounces Russia's expansionist policy. The author reveals, among other things, Catherine II's designs on Armenia and also discusses the potential interest Turkey might have in liberating Greece.
Very rare first edition illustrated with one map and one colour plate.
Not recorded by the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Cordier, or Lorentz.
Half midnight-blue shagreen, smooth spine decorated with quadruple gilt fillets, one joint very fragile, upper headcap worn down, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns.
Some foxing.
Eighteenth-century manuscript (second half), comprising 258 foliated pages.
Contemporary binding, expertly restored in full tan calf, with a smooth spine adorned with gilt compartments and decorative gilt tooling, some now faded; signs of rubbing; title label missing; gilt rampant lion at the centre of both boards; handmade paper endpapers and pastedowns; gilt double fillets on board edges; corners slightly worn.
Notable manuscript featuring extracts and summaries of orders and dispatches issued by the Ministry of the Navy during the Regency and the first year of Louis XV’s reign.
Collated from original documents, carefully dated and with folio references, these extracts are written in a highly legible hand.
Topics covered include: general armament; the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718, 1719, 1720); Barbary States; Guinea Coast; colonies; trade (Spain, Portugal, Guinea, Compagnie d’Afrique, Compagnie des Indes); justice, police, and discipline; munitions; goods and timber; fishing; ports and roadsteads; prizes, and more. The manuscript is in excellent condition, preserved in its original binding.
Contemporary pencil note on the front endpaper: "Aux armes [du] Maréchal Duc de Duras, de l’Académie française" [1715–1789].
First edition, printed in a limited number, of this extract from the Mémoires de la Société nationale des antiquaires de France, volume XXXIX.
Only two copies recorded in the CCFr (BnF and BULAC). Not listed in Hage Chahine.
This fascicle is illustrated with one in-text figure and two folding plates; our copy is exceptionally enhanced with an additional hand-coloured plan, featuring manuscript annotations in pencil.
Contemporary half-cloth binding in almond percaline, smooth spine with a central gilt ornament and double gilt fillet at the tail, red morocco leather title label, pebbled paper boards, original rear wrapper preserved.
Archaeologist and orientalist, Baron Emmanuel Guillaume-Rey (1837–1916) authored several works on the history of the Near East, particularly on the military architecture of the Crusaders in Syria and Latin rule in the Orient.
Bound in at the end is the author’s "Supplément à l’étude sur la topographie de la ville d’Acre au XIIIe siècle", extracted from the Mémoires de la Société nationale des antiquaires de France, volume XLIX, printed in Paris in 1889 (title, 18 pp.), and illustrated with a large folding plate.
An uncommon first edition (cf. Palau, 92 173. Barbier, IV, 1072. Quérard, II, 40. Cioranescu, XVIII, 28675-28678.)
Contemporary full marbled fawn calf, smooth spine decorated with double gilt panels and ornaments, hazelnut calf lettering-piece, spine caps defective, covers framed with a single blind fillet, marbled endpapers, corners rubbed, gilt fillets to the edges, red edges; a fragile contemporary binding: spine ends trimmed, joints and upper hinge entirely split.
The imprint is fictitious: the pamphlet was not printed at Saint-Malo.
This satire, directed against the government, religion and customs of the Spaniards, and marked by singular bad faith (Fleuriot never set foot in Spain), was condemned in France to be burnt by the public executioner by decree of the Parlement of Paris dated 26 February 1786, at the request of King Charles III. Emboldened by this success, Jean-Marie-Jérôme de Fleuriot (1749-1807) pursued his career as an anti-religious pamphleteer. The work went through six editions up to 1803 (the last recorded by the DLF, XVIIIe s., p.38) and was translated into four languages.
Very rare first edition of this substantial memorandum on the "Pierre Calvet Affair", which unsettled Canada in the aftermath of the American War of Independence.
Sabin 21044. In the CCF, copies only at the BnF and Rouen.
A few light spots of foxing; a faint marginal dampstain to the fore-edge of the front endpaper.
Half green sheep with corners, smooth spine slightly darkened and ruled in gilt, gilt fillet border to the marbled paper boards, a central gilt cartouche bearing a crowned cipher to each cover. Corners rubbed, a few scuffs to the edges, bookplate pasted to one pastedown, lemon-coloured edges; nineteenth-century binding.
Parallel to the work The Case of Peter Du Calvet (784), addressed to the English courts, this volume presents the case for a Canadian readership.
The merchant Pierre Du Calvet (1735–1786), a French Protestant, settled in New France in 1758; he remained there after the British annexation and pursued a persistent political campaign on behalf of the inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, both to obtain a constitution and to secure fair justice for the former French subjects.
The present text concentrates on his disputes with Governor Frederick Haldimand (1718–1791) and on his brief imprisonment.
A forerunner of the long struggle waged by the citizens of the Province of Quebec for recognition of their political rights within the British Empire,
Du Calvet nevertheless remained largely forgotten in Quebec’s historical memory.
His actions, and even his name, were widely overlooked by posterity until the republication of his memorandum in 2002.
Rare first edition, printed in small numbers, of this Extrait du Bulletin de la Société de Géographie, 2e série, tome XI, illustrated with two folding plates showing topographical cross-sections of various valleys, including that of the Jordan (cf. Hage Chahine, 471; Numa Broc, Asie, pp. 28–29).
Half tan calf, smooth spine gilt-ruled and tooled, some rubbing to the spine, one joint restored at the head, green morocco lettering-piece, marbled boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, red edges; a contemporary binding.
An orientalist and archaeologist, the Comte de Bertou explored Palestine in 1838 with the mission of verifying the hypothesis of an ancient outflow from the Dead Sea towards the Red Sea. Leaving Beirut on 2 March 1838, he reached Jerusalem via Nazareth and established the altitude of Jericho at –273 m and that of the Dead Sea at –406 m.
He then went on to Hebron and, despite the hostility of the Arab tribes, undertook to follow the depression linking the Asphaltite Lake with Aqaba. Bertou reached it on 8 April and, despite the destruction of his barometer, was able to confirm that the level of the Dead Sea lay well below that of the Red Sea. He returned to Beirut in May 1838 after visiting Petra and its celebrated monuments (cf. Numa Broc).
First edition illustrated with 2 engraved plates of this rare anonymous collection of poems, recently and definitively attributed to the poet from Réunion Antoine de Bertin (1752-1790), and believed to constitute his earliest works (cf. Seth, Poète créoles, 304. Ryckebusch, Bibliographie… Réunion, 750. Conlon 71: 879.)
Contemporary-style half black sheep with corners, spine with five raised bands ruled in blind, comb-marbled paper boards, some rubbing to the covers, corners bumped, modern binding.
They were never included in subsequent editions of his Œuvres complètes.
Bertin alludes to his island in his “Vers à Jeannette. A l'Orient” (p. 68): « …Mais aurez-vous la cruauté / D'oublier un petit sauvage, / De son Isle autrefois jetté, / Sur votre florissant rivage /… ».
The edition, bearing a false London imprint, is illustrated with 2 etched plates, one as frontispiece, after drawings by Claude-Louis Desrais dated 1771.
Rare group of six fascicules, all in the original edition.
Bradel-style binding in green mottled boards, smooth unlettered spine, printed title label mounted at the centre of the upper cover; modern binding.
Not recorded by Polak. Apparently no copy located in the CCFr.
A stain at the head of the title page.
This curious compilation, bearing almost no identifying information, appears to be particularly rare.
It contains:
- 1. A notice to mariners concerning the change in the lighting of the lighthouse in the Bay of the Somme, scheduled for 25 Pluviôse, Year IX [14 February 1801].
- 2. An instruction on filters for purifying water, signed by the health officers Dubrueil, Thaumur, Dupré, and Billard.
- 3. A notice on naval provisions, signed by Rivoire.
- 4. A description of the sillomètre (an instrument for measuring longitude at sea), addressed to the editor of the Moniteur by the former journalist Charles Mozard (1755–1810), who had served as Commissioner of France’s commercial relations in Boston from 1794 to 1799 and was at that time among the contributors to the Moniteur.
- 5. A discourse by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre delivered at the Institut (Nautical experiments, and dietary and moral observations, proposed for the benefit and health of sailors on long-distance voyages). This contribution had already been printed in La Décade philosophique, littéraire et politique of 30 Vendémiaire, Year IX [22 October 1800].
- 6. Two practical notices on means of preserving ships (from fire, water, and rats). The nature of these texts and their immediate sources suggest that this publication was probably conceived as a trial maritime periodical intended to make available sea-related articles previously published in other journals. For reasons unknown, the experiment was not continued, a circumstance that is fairly common in the history of periodicals.
Unpublished manuscript comprising a collection of 17 captioned watercolours.
The work announced on the title page, "Vues et types du Sénégal", was never published, and the watercolours presented here were most likely intended to illustrate it.
The author of these watercolours is named at the foot of the table of plates: « A. Poquet (Del.) 1873 »., this illustrator is not recorded in either Bénézit or Bellier de La Chavignerie.
Modern half red shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands gilt ruled, marbled paper boards.
A restored tear to the right margin of the final watercolour.
The volume consists of a calligraphed title leaf, with, on the verso, a list of plates (entitled « Table des gravures »), followed by the 17 watercolours mounted on the recto of each leaf, at a rate of one or two per page.
They depict landscapes, notable sites, various scenes, and figures in traditional dress.
Measuring 9.5 x 21 or 16 x 9 cm, they are accompanied by a handwritten caption:
1. Dagana. - 2. Richard-Toll. - 3. Fort de Bakel. - 4. Princesse Mauresse, Trarzas [and] Maure Orfèvre, Trarzas. - 5. Type de coiffure de Malinkés. - 6. Homme Bambara [and] Femme Bambara. - 7. Femme Peule [and] Femme Mandingue. - 8. Jeune Maure Darmenkour [and] Femme Wolof portant son enfant. - 9. Palmier ronier. - 10. Deuxième barrage au-dessus du Félou. - 11. Montagnes de Maka Gnian. - 12. Vue de Koundian. - 13. Poste de Dabou.
On the title page, the name Bérenger Féraud has been crossed out in pencil.
This refers to Laurent Jean Baptiste Bérenger-Féraud (1832-1900), physician and ethnologist, head of the Senegal health service in 1872, chief physician in Toulon in 1873, and later director of the health service of Martinique in 1875.
The author of numerous medical publications, notably on tropical fevers, he also wrote several works on Africa, including "Etude sur les Ouolofs" (Paris, Ernest Leroux, 1875) and"Les peuplades de Sénégambie" (ibid., 1879).
A very fine group of unpublished watercolours devoted to Senegal.
New edition, partly original, published anonymously (see Sabin 20,288).
Disbound copy, preserved in a modern marbled paper wrapper.
Abbé Louis Genty (1743–1817) is better known for his Influence de la découverte de l’Amérique sur le bonheur du genre humain, published in 1788, but this Dissertation appears here in a form close to its first draft.
Illustrated edition, with 6 plates bound at the end of the volume.
Our copy is preserved in its original plain wrappers.
Spine with tears and losses.
From the "Description des Arts et Métiers" published by the Académie des Sciences.
Scarce sammelband comprising six treatises on dental surgery, some of which are present here in the first edition.
Half blue sheep, the smooth spine decorated with gilt romantic ornaments, marbled paper boards lightly darkened and faded at the margins, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges.
A faint dampstain to the lower margin of the initial leaves of the first work, a few occasional light spots.
Bound together are:
First edition, illustrated with 4 large engraved plates printed on separate leaves and bound at the end of the volume.
Our copy is offered in its original wrappers, under contemporary plain paper covers.
Spine worn with tears and losses, internally in good condition.
From the "Description des Arts et Métiers" (1761-1776).
Autograph letter signed by Jean-Jacques Henner to a friend, 20 lines in black ink on a bifolium.
Horizontal fold mark from original mailing.
"Chère madame et amie,
excusez-moi si ne ne suis pas encore venu et si je suis si en retard pour répondre depuis plus de 10 jours. Je cherche un moment pour m'échapper et aller vous voir car je suis toujours avec vous dans la pensée. Je surveillerai votre recommandé et sitôt débarassé de ces travaux j'irai vous voir. Votre dévoué J.J. Henner."
Autograph letter dated and signed by Roger Martin du Gard, written from his estate in Bellême, Normandy, to his interior architect; 24 lines in black ink and pencil.
Roger Martin du Gard expresses growing impatience over the sale of a property: "Il faudra remuer ciel et enfer, pour aboutir !"
He outlines his plans for the renovation of the dining room and offers a few remarks: "mais ce n'est pas encore au point dans ma caboche..."
Hence the original pencil and red crayon sketch on the verso, illustrating his vision for the proposed alterations to the dining room.
Autograph note signed to his friend and publisher Felia Léal, concerning in particular a political meeting on the situation in Algeria; 17 lines in black ink on a small sheet.
A well-preserved example. A date pencilled in by Felia Léal: the day she received the autograph note (“Reçu le 21 juin 56”).
"Jeudi,
Bien chère amie. Vous devriez bien aller à cette conférence algérienne, qui vous donnerait d'excellentes idées, jeune perfide. Ci-joint les épreuves. Faut-il maintenir l'épigraphe ? Ce n'est pas très necéssaire. Il me semble aussi qu'en petites italiques ce serait mieux. Mais vous déciderez. Jean P. vous embrasse et à qui ne vous préférerait-il pas ? J'ajoute deux ligres et même, si vous le voulez, trois."
Autograph note signed by Jean Paulhan, 20 lines in black ink addressed to Felia Leal, publisher of "Paroles transparentes," a work by Jean Paulhan illustrated with 14 original lithographs by Georges Braque.
Paperclip marks to the upper left corner.
The note refers to a planned collaboration with Marc Chagall:
"Saturday,
Dear Felia
well, Chagall approves of the short summary. He even seems delighted with it. He says he has had many such ideas. But we are to discuss it in a few days, when he passes through Paris. (He is attending the Rembrandt anniversary celebrations, to which he has been invited by the Netherlands – something he appears quite proud of). Jean P. sends his love."
Autograph envelope addressed by André Breton to his friend Géo Dupin, curator of the La Cour d'Ingres art gallery at 17 quai Voltaire, from whom the Pope of Surrealism acquired several paintings.
The address is written in black ink (some letters slightly smudged).
A well-preserved example.
Bristol bearing the letterhead of the Presidency of the Republic of Tunisia.
Name and printed designation on the card.
A fine example.
Manuscript signature of Habib Bourguiba in green ink.
Provenance: from the collection of the distinguished autograph collector Claude Armand.
Original black and white photograph depicting Boris Yegorov in flight suit.
A fine copy.
Rare autograph of Boris Yegorov in blue ink in the left margin of the photograph.
On 12 October 1964, aboard Voskhod 1, Boris Yegorov made his sole flight as a physician, participating in the first mission in history to carry three crew members.
Provenance: from the collection of the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.
Black-and-white photographic postcard depicting Dolores del Rio in a frontal portrait.
A very attractive example. Envelope sent from Mexico included.
Inscribed and signed by Dolores del Rio in blue felt-tip pen to the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand: "To Claude Armand best wishes Dolores Del Rio."
Black and white photographic postcard depicting Ginger Rogers in profile.
A fine copy.
Inscribed and signed by Ginger Rogers for the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand: "To Claude Armand kindest wishes. Ginger Rogers."
Black-and-white photographic postcard depicting a young Charles Trenet wearing a hat.
A handsome example. Charles Trenet’s discography with Columbia printed on the verso.
Inscribed and signed by Charles Trenet: "Pour monsieur Thézard souvenir joyeux de Niort. Charles Trenet."
Black and white photographic postcard depicting Louison Bobet in cycling attire.
A fine copy.
Inscribed and signed by Louison Bobet in blue ink, addressed to the prominent autograph collector Claude Armand.
Louison Bobet is among the most decorated cyclists in history: three-time winner of the Tour de France between 1953 and 1955 (the first rider to win the race three years in a row), world champion in 1954, and French national champion in 1950 and 1951. He also claimed victory in numerous classic races, including Paris–Roubaix and Milan–San Remo, among others.
Autograph letter dated 3 June 1941, signed and addressed to Frédéric Lefèvre, comprising 40 lines in blue ink on two pages of a bifolium, written from Lyon.
Folds from original mailing, envelope present.
During these troubled times, Frédéric Lefèvre was difficult to reach for his friend Francis Carco: "J'ai appris par Raymond Millet - qui me donne ton adresse - que tu es à Vichy ! On m'avait dit que tu étais retourné à Paris... [...] c'est pour cette raison que je ne t'ai pas envoyé mon dernier livre mais je dois recevoir des exemplaires prochainement et le premier sera pour toi."
Francis Carco discusses his future plans: "J'irai me poser en Haute Savoie afin d'écrire le roman que je dois à Gringoire. [...] un éditeur suisse désire publier une petite plaquette de mes vers inédits. N'aurais-tu pas une copie de ceux que je t'ai envoyés à Cannes, l'automne dernier, et de ceux qui commencent par : C'est le pays de Gérard de Nerval..."
Photographic postcard by Studio Philips, depicting Johnny Halliday in black and white, holding his guitar in his right hand, resting it on his shoulder.
The verso features the artist's discography, with minor text loss at the head and foot. A well-preserved example.
Bold blue ink signature by Johnny Halliday.
Colour photographic postcard depicting Fernand Raynaud holding a crate of oranges, with a sign reading: "Ici on vend de belles oranges pas chères."
On the verso, a blue ballpoint signature of Fernand Raynaud has been affixed.
Inscribed and signed by Fernand Raynaud in red felt-tip pen: "Merci Claude. FRaynaud."
Provenance: from the collection of the distinguished autograph collector Claude Armand.
Photographic postcard inscribed by Laurent Terzieff to the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.
Postcard reproducing a black-and-white photograph by Studio Harcourt, showing Laurent Terzieff resting his head on his arms.
Autograph inscription signed by Laurent Terzieff in black ink to the right of the image: "A Claude Armand merci de votre très aimable lettre. L. Terzieff."
Original black-and-white photograph depicting Elvire Popesco in a three-quarter profile.
A handsome print. Vintage print, with the printed stamp of the Nicolas Treatt Studio in Paris on the verso.
Signed in black ink by Elvire Popesco.
Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.
Postcard after an original photograph by David Hamilton depicting a young girl walking through a flower-filled meadow.
A fine copy.
Signed by David Hamilton in black felt-tip pen at the foot of the card.
Provenance: from the collection of the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.
Color photographic postcard depicting Johnny Hallyday, a guitar in his right hand, balancing on a locomotive.
Photographic postcard produced by Philips studios.
Signed in Johnny Hallyday's hand in the upper left margin.
Colour photographic postcard depicting Claude François.
A well-preserved example. A newspaper clipping has been affixed to the verso, which also shows traces of glue.
Signed in black felt-tip pen by Claude François, with a small flower drawing and the word "bises".
Provenance: from the collection of the prominent autograph collector Claude Armand.
Autograph letter dated and signed by Jacques de Lacretelle, 14 lines in blue ink on letterhead of the Académie française, addressed to the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.
Folds from mailing. Original handwritten envelope included.
Jacques de Lacretelle reflects on his love of books: "Je dois tout aux livres et au goût de l'analyse que j'en ai retiré."
Black and white photographic portrait of the legendary jazz musician Benny Goodman, holding his clarinet in his left hand.
A fine example. A newspaper clipping announcing the musician’s death is affixed to the verso of the print. We include the original mailing envelope, bearing Benny Goodman’s initials, in which the photograph was sent. A concert program for Benny Goodman and his jazz band performing in Zurich in 1970 accompanies the set.
Signed by Benny Goodman in blue ballpoint pen in the upper left corner of the photograph.
Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.
Photographic postcard depicting Lionel Hampton in the 1960s–70s playing the vibraphone.
A handsome copy.
Signed by Lionel Hampton in blue felt-tip pen on the verso of the photograph.
Provenance: from the collection of the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.
Original black and white photograph, issued in a limited edition of 50 numbered prints, depicting Andrian Grigorievitch Nikolaïev during his visit to Switzerland in July 1971.
A fine copy. Printed stamps on the verso identifying the cosmonaut, the date of his visit to Switzerland, the numbering of the print (10/50), and the name of the "Boutique russe" in Geneva.
Boldly signed by Andrian Grigorievitch Nikolaïev in blue felt-tip pen in the lower left corner of the print.
Andrian Grigorievitch Nikolaïev was part of the very first group of Soviet cosmonauts selected in March 1960. He was the third man to travel into space.
His visit to Switzerland followed the successful completion of the Soyuz 9 mission, in which he participated alongside Vitali Sevastyanov.
Provenance: from the collection of the prominent Swiss autograph collector Claude Armand.
Original black and white photograph depicting Moshe Dayan in a frontal pose, looking to his left.
Envelope and a printed sheet inscribed: "STATE OF ISRAEL with the compliments of The Minister of Defense" enclosed.
Signed by Moshe Dayan in blue ballpoint pen at the foot of the portrait.
Provenance: from the collection of the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.
Black-and-white photographic postcard depicting a young Ludmila Tcherina.
Pinholes to the corners of the card.
Signed autograph inscription by Ludmila Tcherina, in white felt-tip pen, to the prominent autograph collector Claude Armand: "A Claude bien amicalement Tcherina."
Provenance: from the collection of the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.
Photograph signed by Tyrone Power in violet ink.
A handsome print. Printed stamp of a London dealer on the verso of the image.
Provenance: from the collection of the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.
Postcard-format reproduction of a photograph by David Hamilton depicting a nude woman seen from behind, gazing at herself in a mirror.
Signed by David Hamilton in black felt-tip pen at the lower right corner of the card.
A handsome copy.
Provenance: from the collection of the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.
Autograph letter dated and signed by Ginger Rogers, addressed to the renowned Swiss collector Claude Armand, 20 lines penned in blue felt-tip from New York,
Folding marks from mailing, with a light paperclip impression to the upper left corner of the letter; original envelope included.
The celebrated American actress and dancer expresses her gratitude to her admirer for his previous letter, in which he requested a signed photograph that she is unfortunately unable to send, being away from her home in Eagle Point, Oregon, and currently in New York: "Your most gracious letter is in my hands and i cannot tell you how delighted its make me to read of your affection for my work..."
Ginger Rogers is clearly touched by Claude Armand’s warm letter: "Thank you so much for your good lettre. I shall keep it, always with warm good wishes."
Autograph letter dated and signed by Georges Dumézil to Thierry Maulnier—though not referred to by name—four pages on a bifolium written in blue ballpoint pen on stationery bearing the letterhead of the Académie française, discussing his recent work "Le dieu masqué".
Rust marks from a paperclip visible at the top of the leaves.
Georges Dumézil expresses agreement with the views of his fellow Immortal: "Je reconnais pour moi cet agnoticisme indulgent (156 - 787) ce scepticisme sans découragement dans son 'léger sourire' (324, - et la fin de 604, 611...) [...] Le Dieu masqué suppose un dieu, ou l'équivalent. Je pense moi, au conte d'Edgar Poe, 'Le spectre de la mort rouge' : quand on l'a dépouillé de ses voiles, démailloté, démasqué, il ne reste rien de palpable ni d'imaginable. Le mystère de son mouvement, de son être est néant. Et pourtant, il tue, donc il est."
The historian of religion continues, refining his line of thought: "Chez l'homme, le foisonnement des neurones, le langage qui en est sorti (voir 163, 172 et surtout 242, où vous rejoignez Hagège), commandent, réclament l'exercice, et tout s'ensuit. Et puis, il y a ce que j'ai envie d'appeler le besoin de confort, chaque individu est engagé pour une part minime, dans le mouvement d'évolution dont il est produit, et dont, pro parte nirili, sans en avoir connaissance, il prépare la suite le corps humain, (si des inventions à double effet lui en laissent le temps) travaille volens nolens pour on ne sait quoi, qui se réglera dans des centaines, des milliers de siècles." while also offering a few minor points of divergence.
He concludes his letter with this fine compliment: "Vous rejoignez sur ma tablette intime Marc Aurèle (en mieux habillé) et Sénèque (sans sa réthorique). J'attends le quatrième troupeau des vaches sacrées. Tel est, pour 1986, mon premier voeu..."
Autograph letter dated and signed addressed to Thierry Maulnier who is not named (25 lines in black ink on one leaf).
Central folds inherent to postal folding.
Patrice de La Tour Du Pin thanks Thierry Maulnier and shows himself delighted to be soon published by la Table ronde even though he requires certain conditions: "... mais vraiment pour l'édition que vous me proposez si amicalement, je ne peux accepter malgré mon désir : il m'est impossible de faire paraître en même temps plus de quatre volumes de luxe ou de demi-luxe. Déjà Gallimard trouve que c'est un peu gros ! ..." ("...but truly for the edition that you propose so kindly, I cannot accept despite my desire: it is impossible for me to publish at the same time more than four deluxe or semi-deluxe volumes. Already Gallimard finds that it's a bit much! ...")
Thanks to Thierry Maulnier's tenacity, this collaboration project will certainly come to fruition: "Merci en tout cas d'avoir insisté, j'espère que ce ne sera que partie remise..." ("Thank you in any case for having insisted, I hope it will only be postponed...")
