Prose pour une japonaise
Signed autograph Stéphane Quoniam the painter and engraver Jacques Castex.

Artistic exchanges between Japan and France from 1854 onwards rank among the most fruitful in the history of art.
The fascination exerted by Eastern art on French writers, combined with the ability of Japanese artists to assimilate Western techniques, sparked an extraordinary wave of creativity that gave rise to numerous masterpieces, coveted by collectors for nearly two centuries.
New edition (third?) and first in 6 volumes. The first edition dates from 1746. Les Songes philosophiques are in first edition.
Contemporary full speckled brown calf bindings. Smooth spines decorated. Red morocco title and volume labels. Triple gilt fillet and star cornerpieces on boards. All edges red. Three head caps and three tail caps worn. A few corners very slightly bumped.
The Lettres chinoises, inaugurated by the same author as the Lettres juives have this typical Enlightenment design of comparing the customs and habits of several civilizations; the work takes up the scheme, always humorous, of the first work of this type: L'espion de la...
Rare first edition of this novel recounting the story of a wealthy Swiss industrialist who abandons everything to lead a bohemian life in Japan.
Cover faded, title page loose, small marginal tears.
Rare.