Gift Ideas – Rare Editions

First edition, one of 42 numbered copies on tabac du moulin paper, issued under limon de rocaille wrappers, our copy one of 12 hors commerce copies, the only issue after 15 copies on papier saumon des eaux claires.

Illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the work, with the collaboration of Claude Nardin, here in his first contribution.

Rare and very fine copy preserved in its full burlap chemise and slipcase (spine of the chemise and boards of the slipcase slightly sunned at the margins).

Pencil signatures of Jacques Lemaire and Ania Staritsky on the colophon.

...

First edition, one of 37 numbered copies on Nivôse rag paper.

Illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the work in collaboration with Claude Nardin.

Rare and very attractive copy, preserved in its original old-rose full cloth slipcase (spine slightly faded and two faint stains at the foot of the boards, not serious).

Manuscript pencil signatures of Michel Butor and Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

A unique copy, exceptionally enriched with two original gouaches by Ania Staritsky, both signed, a manuscript text by Michel Butor, an original collage by Ania Staritsky, as well as a...

First edition, printed in 40 numbered copies on hand-made pure rag paper from the Moulin de Larroque, this being one of the 10 hors commerce copies.

The work is illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the volume with the assistance of Claude Nardin.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its full grey cloth slipcase, slightly discoloured at the edges, and its double chemise.

Manuscript pencil signature by Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

Our copy is further enriched with two original collages by Ania Staritsky, both signed.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on japon paper, deluxe issue.

Minor tears and two small losses at the foot of the spine at the level of the deckle edges, a stain in the left margin of the upper cover, a wide-margined copy.

Illustrated with a photographic portrait of the author as frontispiece.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies printed on handmade pure rag paper.

Illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the work with the collaboration of Claude Nardin.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise and brown cloth slipcase.

Pencil signatures of Philippe Jones and Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

Inscribed by Philippe Jones to Claude Nardin at the colophon.

Our copy is enriched with a five-line autograph manuscript text by Philippe Jones, as well as an original collage by Ania Staritsky, signed by her.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies printed on "mousse d'épave" paper, ours one of 10 copies hors commerce.

Illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the work in collaboration with Claude Nardin.

Rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise and slipcase in full grey cloth (spine of the chemise slightly faded).

Manuscript pencil signatures of Jean-Claude Renard and Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

Our copy contains a manuscript text by the poet Jean-Claude Renard as well as an original collage by Ania Staritsky, signed by her.

Fine signed...

First edition, printed in 40 numbered copies on "citronnelle de lin troué" paper, this being one of the copies numbered from 11 to 30 (No. 30).

Illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the work with the assistance of Claude Nardin.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise and slipcase in full olive green cloth.

Pencil signatures of Jacques Izoard and Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

A unique copy, exceptionally enriched with a manuscript text by the poet Jacques Izoard, an original engraving by Ania Staritsky signed by her, as well as three engravings not retained for...

First edition of the French translation, one of 21 numbered copies on pur fil paper, deluxe issue.

Bradel binding in half blue percaline, smooth spine, floral motif, date and double gilt fillets at the foot, hazel morocco title label with some scuffing, marbled paper boards, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, contemporary binding.

The text by Friedrich Sieburg is followed by a letter from Bernard Grasset to the latter.

Fine dated and signed autograph inscription, from London, by Friedrich Sieburg to Monsieur de Fleuriau, then French ambassador in London: "... en le priant de ne voir dans ce livre que l'attrait que la France exerça sur son auteur...

First edition printed in 150 numbered copies on Licorne du Marais paper, our copy being one of a few hors commerce copies, justified and signed by Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

The work is illustrated with 16 colour illustrations, either in the text or full-page, by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the volume.

A rare and fine copy, complete with its chemise and slipcase in full raspberry red cloth.

Manuscript pencil signature of Robert Droguet on the half-title.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe issue.

A very small chip at the foot of the spine.

A fine copy, with full margins and in double wrappers.

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

A rare and very fine copy.

We include two invitation cards to the private view of the exhibition of works by Ania Staritsky held at Galerie Les Mains libres on 6 November 1975 between 6pm and 8pm.

Pencil signature of Michel Butor at the colophon.

As stated in the limitation page, our copy does indeed contain an original collage by Ania Staritsky, signed by her, as well as a manuscript text by Michel Butor.

Inscribed, dated and signed by Michel Butor to Claude Nardin, who was a collaborator of Ania Staritsky.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on "mousse d'épave" paper, this being one of the 10 hors commerce copies.

Illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the work.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise and slipcase in old-rose full cloth.

Pencil signatures of Philippe Jones and Ania Staritsky on the colophon.

Our copy includes a manuscript text by the poet Jean-Claude Renard, as well as an original collage by Ania Staritsky, signed by her.

Framing his manuscript, an autograph inscription signed by Jean-Claude Renard to Claude Nardin, who...

First edition printed in 30 numbered copies on handmade rag paper, this copy unnumbered.

Illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the book’s original layout.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise and brown cloth slipcase.

Pencil signatures of Philippe Jones and Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

As stated in the limitation page, this copy includes a manuscript text by the poet Philippe Jones as well as an original signed collage by Ania Staritsky.

First edition printed in 35 numbered copies on Antique 15 paper, our copy being one of the 10 hors commerce copies.

The work is illustrated with original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the book.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise with flaps, the spine slightly discoloured, and its grey cloth slipcase.

Pencil signatures of Michel Butor and Ania Staritsky on the colophon.

As stated in the limitation, our copy is enriched with a 19-line autograph manuscript by Michel Butor, together with an original drawing and a collage by Ania Staritsky.

The upper cover of...

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies, this being one of the rare hors commerce copies corresponding to the 8 deluxe paper copies on "Tabac du Moulin" vat paper, issued in "Tourbe de Varennes" wrappers.

The work is illustrated with 9 original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the book.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise and slipcase in full saffron cloth.

Pencil signatures of Jean Follain and Ania Staritsky at the colophon.

As stated in the limitation page, our copy indeed includes a manuscript text by the poet Jean Follain as well as an original collage by Ania Staritsky...

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

Bound in full beige sheepskin, spine ruled in black, gilt date at foot, minor rubbing to the edges of the boards, marbled endpapers, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.

Pencil annotations relating to the reading of the work.

Gift inscription by a former member of the José Corti publishing house: "A monsieur Marchaux en témoignage de sympathie ce tout premier livre publié par José Corti."

Above all else Damas's writing theatened conventional society. This pamphlet Retour de Guyane was bought in big numbers by the colonial authorities and burnt.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on pur fil, most limited issue. In addition, 25 hors-commerce copies on vélin labeur.

A fine and rare copy.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.

A rare and fine copy.

"A thunderclap of a title, a bitter draught that rings out like "Blue Note" in jazz, like "Cuba libre" among Caribbean cocktails. Damas, the stammerer, sings of solitude, the fear of being abandoned by the woman he loves and waits for, the sorrow and cowardice of "whitening," as do the jazz musicians he venerates" (Kathleen Gyssels)

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies issued on deluxe paper.

A rare and handsome copy.

First edition on ordinary paper, bearing the correct imprint date of 25 August 1978.

Spine yellowed and creased as usual, internally in pleasing condition.

Rare signed autograph inscription from Georges Pérec to Chantal Labre.

First edition printed in 20 numbered copies on hand-made "papier rose jouvencelle" produced by Georges Duchêne.

Illustrated with original engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the work.

This copy is exceptionally enhanced with an original collage by Ania Staritsky, signed by her, and with an 8-line autograph manuscript text by Gaston Puel, together with an additional suite of the engravings by Ania Staritsky (one of which bears two small holes).

The spine of the chemise and the boards of the slipcase are slightly and marginally faded, without seriousness.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its...

First edition, one of the scarce copies on Japon paper.
Work illustrated with 17 colour plates.
A fine copy with wide margins.

First edition, one of 37 numbered copies on handmade paper "Ecume de cépage" under "Chaume de Juillet" wrappers, the only issue after 8 copies on handmade paper "Tabac du moulin".

The work is illustrated with 9 original colour engravings by Ania Staritsky, who also designed the original layout of the book.

A rare and very fine copy, complete with its chemise and slipcase in full orange cloth.

Pencil signatures of Jean Follain and Ania Staritsky on the colophon.

First edition, one of 100 copies numbered on alfa paper, the only copies on deluxe paper.

Photographic vignette on the upper cover.

A rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of 26 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies issued on deluxe paper.

A rare and attractive copy.

First complete edition of the French translation.

Contemporary red half morocco, spine with four raised bands tooled with gilt dotted rules and decorated with double gilt compartments filled with a semé of gilt stars, minor rubbing to spine, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges.

Occasional light foxing.

First edition printed in 112 copies, ours one of the 90 numbered copies on Arches laid paper.

A pleasant and scarce copy.

Illustrated with 5 original lithographs by Juan Gris.

Manuscript signatures of Armand Salacrou and Juan Gris at the colophon.

Rare first edition.

Small tears and losses to the head and foot of the spine, spine and covers marginally sunned.

Signed autograph inscription from Jacques Mesnil to Charles Albert.

Some manuscript corrections and reading marks in blue pencil in the margins of certain paragraphs.

First edition of the French translation, one of 75 numbered copies on ivory offset paper, our copy one of the few hors commerce copies numbered in pencil by Antoni Tapies, the only deluxe paper issue.

A very small stain to the upper edge, otherwise a fine copy complete with its illustrated dust jacket.

Illustrated.

Handwritten signature of Antoni Tapies at the colophon.

First edition, one of the deluxe copies on alfa, this one an unnumbered hors commerce, only deluxe issue after 10 copies on Arches.

Full blue-gray morocco binding, spine with five raised bands, gilt date at foot, yellow box calf doublure, watered silk free endpapers, original wrappers including spine bound in, all edges gilt, half morocco chemise in panels, wood motif paper boards, slipcase edged in morocco, wood motif paper boards lined with blue felt, outstanding binding signed Hélène Alix.

Unrecorded...

First edition printed in 100 numbered copies on wove paper, this copy unnumbered.

Rare and fine copy.

First edition of the French translation, for which no deluxe paper copies were issued, with the correct "achevé d’imprimer" dated February 1939.

A fine copy, complete with its illustrated dust-jacket, as usual showing only slight rubbing and minor marginal tears, not affecting its overall appearance.

The work is illustrated, facing the title-page, with a map of the south-eastern United States during the Civil War.

First edition, one of 85 numbered copies and 3 hors commerce copies, ours one of the 70 on B.F.K. de Rives paper.

A fine copy complete with its chemise and slipcase in full black cloth, spine of the chemise slightly faded, a small tear at the foot of the lower panel of the slipcase.

Illustrated with 19 original photographs signed in pencil by Henri Maccheroni.

A further compilation bringing together several successes of the troubadour from Sète, including "Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire", "Dans l'eau de la claire fontaine", "La traîtresse", "La ballade des cimetières"; "La complainte des filles de joie", "Tonton Nestor - La noce de Jeannette", "Le temps passé" and "La fille à cent sous".

A pleasant copy despite very slight rubbing to the margins of the sleeve.

A name and an initial in blue ballpoint pen at the head of the second panel of the sleeve.

Manuscript signature of Georges Brassens in the left margin of the front panel of the sleeve.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on vélin Rivoli, the only deluxe paper issue.

A very fine copy.

First edition which supposedly had an issue of 500 numbered copies. “Gallimard donated the paper required for the production of this book, but only 258 copies could be printed, rather than the 500 announced in the justification” (from a note by Paul Éluard). A slight crease to the covers, slight marginal sunning primarily affecting the rear cover.

Illustrated with 11 photographs of Nusch Éluard by Man Ray and Dora Maar.

Le temps déborde is a collection of eleven poems published...

First edition of the four volumes, issued successively between 1883 and 1886. Rich and remarkable iconography featuring 36 chromolithographic plates, 187 plates, and 1,256 illustrations in the text. Translation and arrangement by Madame de Witt, who compiled the texts in order to present them as a chronological history. Complete sets in the correct edition are relatively scarce.
Striking publisher’s binding, with elaborate gilt decoration, signed A. Souze. Red half morocco with red percaline boards. Large gilt panel on the spine depicting an oak tree with two fleurs-de-lys and a shield charged with fleurs-de-lys, as well as shell ornaments at the foot. Large and intricate gilt panel on...

Rare collection of pamphlets printed in Toulon or Marseille, notably during the Restoration period, several of which implicate senior military figures of the First Empire.

The first item is: "Ordonnance du Roi, Portant règlement sur les Franchises du Port de Marseille et Suite de l'Ordonnance..." printed in Toulon, by Alx (sic) Curet, (1815), 16 pages, comprising an extract from the Moniteur of 24 February 1815.

Bound in half ivory vellum with corners, smooth spine, manuscript inscription in black ink to spine, blue pasteboards with some surface abrasions, contemporary binding.

Some foxing. A few nicks to the edges.

Bound in continuation:

1)...

First edition of this one-act play. Rama VI (Vajiravudh, 1881-1925) was not only the successor to the celebrated Chulalongkorn (Rama V) on the Siamese throne in 1910; he was also a man of letters who composed numerous works of prose, poetry and drama.

Contemporary full dusky-pink glazed cloth, plain smooth spine, title blocked in gilt within a large architectural border on the upper board.

The author played a major role in the development of modern Thai literature, introducing Western-style theatre to Siamese audiences.

In addition to the thousands of original works he produced in a wide variety of genres, including short stories, novels and political essays, he...

First edition.

No copies recorded in the CCF.

A very rare small guide intended for English travellers in the Kingdom of Naples. It opens with an itinerary from Rome to Naples via the monastery of Monte Cassino.

Some foxing, small losses to the spine which also shows a tear at the foot.

First edition. 

Official series not recorded by Polak. 

Contemporary full cherry-red morocco binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt Romantic arabesques, gilt roll tooling partly worn at the spine ends, covers with a wide panel of sextuple gilt fillets and Romantic arabesques, corner ornaments in gilt, crowned "FO" cipher stamped in gilt at the centre of each cover, doublures and endpapers lined with azure watered silk, gilt garland frame to the doublures, corners slightly rubbed, all edges gilt, an elegant Romantic binding of the period.

A few dark stains to the covers, occasional foxing mainly affecting the endpapers.

Copy from the library of Ferdinand-Philippe...

First edition of this speculative theological inquiry into the date of the end of time, based on scriptural data.

Contemporary full mottled fawn calf, spine in five raised bands richly gilt with fleuroned compartments, red morocco title label, loss to the headcap, joints split at head and foot and restored, some rubbing to the spine, covers framed with a blind fillet, marbled endpapers, gilt edges to the boards with a few nicks, red-speckled edges, corners worn, binding of the period.

A few pencilled markings and marginal annotations to certain passages, library stamp on the title page, a light dampstain to the upper edge of one leaf, not affecting the text. 

The author...

First edition, very scarce, of this important work.

Contemporary-style half speckled fawn calf binding, smooth spine decorated with triple gilt fillets, green shagreen title label, small vellum corners, marbled paper boards, bookplate pasted onto a pastedown, red edges, modern binding.

A restored loss to the left margin of the title page.

Hydrogéologie contains Lamarck’s geological observations gathered during his travels in Germany, Hungary, and France.

Its principal merit lies in demonstrating the considerable importance of plants and animals as agents of geological transformation.

It is in this work that the word biology appears for the first time, on...

First edition of the French translation prepared by Stanislas Julien. 

Contemporary half havana shagreen over corners binding, spine in five raised bands ruled in gilt and decorated with double gilt and blind-stamped panels, date gilt at foot, a few minor rubs to the spine, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt, covers and spine mounted and restored and preserved, binding signed F. Saulnier.

Pages 409–415 present, at the upper right corners, tears without loss affecting the text which have been restored, with an additional restoration to the title-page. Faded manuscript note on the half-title.

From the collection "Voyages des...

First edition (cf. Sinkankas 3165. Lorenz X, p. 8.)

Contemporary-style binding in half tobacco calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt and blind fillets as well as blind fleurons, black morocco title label, marbled paper boards, wrappers partially soiled and preserved, modern binding signed Laurenchet.

Some foxing.

Crystallization, the diamond in antiquity, characteristics, composition, origin, attempts at artificial production, deposits (India, Oceania, Brazil, the Cape, various mines), cutting, trade, paragons or principal known diamonds.

Henri Jacobs, born in Antwerp, was a diamond merchant in Paris.

Rare first edition of the author's first published work, illustrated with three maps, one of which is hors texte.

Only one copy of this edition is recorded in the Catalogue collectif de France (Nanterre).

With an introduction by professor H. S. Jevons. Rangoon, Burma Book Club, 1931, 12mo.

Publisher's full green cloth, smooth spine, printed title label pasted to the spine, extensively rubbed and chipped with substantial loss.

John Sydenham Furnivall (1878-1960) joined the Indian Civil Service in 1901 and spent his entire career in Burma from 1902 onwards, remaining in the country even after independence. Married to a Burmese woman, he founded and developed the...

Rare first edition illustrated with a portrait frontispiece and a plate printed on a separate leaf with tissue guard depicting the Taj Mahal.

No copies recorded in the CCF.

Small tears to the unlettered spine, boards slightly soiled.

A very rare small travel guide to the city of the Taj Mahal (now in the state of Uttar Pradesh).

Manuscript bookplate "E. Miroir 8 February 1911" in the upper left corner of the title page.

An unrecorded edition of the first of the nine geographical booklets published by Marc Bonifas, known as Du Carla (1738-1816), between 1779 and 1780. 

At the end of the volume, the work is illustrated with a folding plate.

A light dampstain to the upper margins of the final leaves.

Bradel binding in full blue paper-covered boards, smooth spine, date at foot, navy blue sheep title-piece, modern binding.

Ordinary editions bear the Geneva imprint, and the pagination is more extensive. 

The author is chiefly known for having been the first to advocate the use of contour lines for the representation of terrain, extending to topography techniques already employed...

Paris, G. Masson, 1872. Quarto, 3 unnumbered leaves, ix and 196 pages, with 51 lithographed plates.

First edition of this important and very rare work, issued in a small number of copies. Catalogue Petit, 656; Bibliotheca piscatoria, p. 75; Nissen, ZBI, 1018.

Complete with all 51 plates, numbered I-L with an additional plate XXXV bis. They form two distinct series: 36 plates devoted to nets, fish-farming apparatus and fishing implements used in China, followed by 15 plates depicting fishes collected by the author, including several species then new to European science...

First edition, published in Paris by Nepveu in 1812 in six volumes, illustrated with 72 engraved plates by Lambert, most of them reduced from those in Dalvimart’s Costume of Turkey, published in London in 1802. Complete with all plates; without the binder’s directions and the leaf concerning the orthography of Arabic words, both of which are absent from many copies.

Contemporary full mottled tan calf. Smooth spines, slightly faded, decorated with gilt...

Rare first edition printed in a small number of copies.

Our copy is preserved in its original blue paper provisional wrappers.

Born at Annonay in 1811, Auguste Bravais entered the École Polytechnique in 1829.

Having become a hydrographic engineer, he undertook several expeditions before embarking, in 1835, aboard the Recherche, dispatched to the Arctic regions in an attempt to locate Blosseville's Lilloise. There he carried out numerous observations in meteorology, terrestrial magnetism, and astronomy.

Appointed Professor of Mathematics Applied to Astronomy at the Faculty of Sciences in Lyon in 1840, he gave up seafaring and devoted himself...

Second edition, partly original as revised and expanded.

No copy recorded in the CCFr.

Publisher's flexible black cloth binding, smooth spine lettered in black at the centre of the upper cover.

Born in Canton itself, James Dyer Ball (1847-1919) was the son of an American missionary; he pursued his secondary education partly in Canton and partly in Great Britain before entering the British civil service in Hong Kong. He was long regarded as the finest European speaker of Cantonese, for which he moreover advocated a romanization system comparable to that used for Vietnamese.

A few minor foxing spots, slight angular losses to the covers.

First Gallimard edition, one of 1,050 numbered copies printed on Alfama du Marais paper.

Publisher’s boards bound after the original design by Paul Bonet.

A very fine copy.

First edition, one of 70 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe paper issue.

Bound in blue-grey half morocco, spine in five raised bands, date gilt at foot, marbled paper boards, blue-grey endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and sun-faded spine preserved, top edge gilt, an elegant binding signed Boichot.

Valuable autograph inscription signed by Joseph Kessel, in violet pencil, on the front free endpaper: "A Charles Maurras cet exemplaire plus digne de lui" enhanced with the manuscript signature of Georges Suarez.

A fine copy, attractively bound

First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe paper issue.

Shadowed endpapers.

Half chocolate-brown morocco binding with corners, smooth spine decorated with gilt panels enhanced with black morocco onlays, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, handmade paper endpapers and doublures, original wrappers and spine preserved, bookplate pasted to an endpaper, top edge gilt on untrimmed leaves, an elegant binding signed Pierre-Lucien Martin at the foot of the spine.

A fine, wide-margined copy beautifully bound by Pierre-Lucien Martin, one of the most gifted bookbinders of the second half of the twentieth century.

First edition, illustrated with in-text and full-page black-and-white and colour drawings by Albert Robida.
Publisher’s original illustrated cloth binding in full green percaline, signed Engel, smooth spine, featuring a large polychrome illustration heightened with gold and palladium by Souze extending across the spine and boards; the original front cover in colour preserved; all edges gilt.
"Ceci qui va suivre sous un titre ambitieux pris simplement comme une étiquette en chiffres, n'est, bien entendu, pas une histoire, ni un tableau, ni un résumé, c'est une série d'esquisses, de croquis à la plume et à la mine de plomb, de portraits familiers de notre Siècle à différentes époques...

First edition, one of the 10 numbered and justified copies on japon paper, the only large-paper issue announced.

Contemporary half brown morocco binding in the Bradel style, smooth spine, marbled paper boards, handmade endpapers, bookplate affixed to the front pastedown, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, period binding.

Signed and dated autograph inscription from Jean Puget to his publisher Pierre Briquet: "... en souvenir des jours héroïques..."

Provenance: from the personal library of publisher Pierre Briquet, with his bookplate affixed to the front pastedown.

Exceptionally rare copy featuring...

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on Hollande paper, the deluxe issue after 30 copies on Japan paper.

Full red morocco binding, spine slightly toned with five raised bands ruled in black, gilt date at foot, minor unobtrusive rubbing to the bands, gilt rolls to the headcaps, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt dentelle frame and double gilt fillet to the inside covers, original wrappers and spine preserved, gilt stippling to the edges, top edge gilt.

A fine copy, attractively bound.

First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on Japanese vellum, the deluxe issue.

Illustrated with 3 engravings and 1 map.

Brown half shagreen morocco binding with corner pieces; spine with five raised bands ruled in black, gilt date at foot; minor rubbing to the spine; marbled paper sides; marbled endpapers and pastedowns; original wrappers and spine preserved; corners slightly bumped; gilt top edge.

A pleasing copy.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Bradel binding in chocolate-brown half shagreen, smooth spine, date gilt at the tail, contemporary leather boards japonisants, embossed and polychrome, decorated with gilded and colorful floral motifs, marbled paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and restored spine preserved, later binding.

Exceptional presentation copy signed by Emile Zola: "à Edmond de Goncourt son ami Emile Zola."

Below the presentation inscription, a manuscript gift inscription by Edmond de Goncourt: "Edmond de Goncourt à Pauline Zeller."

First edition of Royaume-farfelu, published in Paris by Gallimard (Éditions de la Nouvelle Revue Française, 3, rue de Grenelle) in 1928. Limited edition of 572 copies: 13 on Imperial Japan paper, 23 on Pannekoek Dutch laid paper (including 3 hors commerce lettered copies), 486 on Lafuma Navarre wove paper, and 50 hors commerce copies on Alfa paper reserved for reviewers.

This is copy no. IX, one of the thirteen deluxe copies on Imperial Japan paper, the most sought-after of the three deluxe issues. Original printed wrappers, as issued.

The preliminary leaf bears the...

First French edition, translation by Roger Caillois and René L.F. Durand, one of 33 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe paper issue.

Rare and very fine copy.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on alfa paper, our copy not specifically numbered, issued as the only deluxe paper copies.

A few small spots of foxing, mainly affecting the edges and the endpapers, which show two small traces of adhesive paper.

First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on alfa paper, our copy lettered "A" among the 8 hors commerce lettered copies, the only deluxe paper issue.

A tear at the foot of the spine at the level of the sewing supports, otherwise a pleasant wide-margined copy.

Dated and signed autograph presentation by the publisher beneath the print statement: "Affectueusement reservé à mon admirable collaboratrice Suzanne qui est aussi la plus charmante & la plus précieuse des filleules - que dis-je ? la seule filleule qui compte ! Paris 18 octobre 1942."

A fine edition complete with all 12 steel engravings with tissue guards after paintings by Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Philippe de Champaigne, and Hyacinthe Rigaud, and its chromolithographic title page. Leafs containing the Discourse on Universal History  framed by floral, zoomorphic, figural and armorial interlaced borders. This copy is further enhanced with elaborate decorated initials and tailpieces, and a black-and-white frontispiece opening each part.

First edition limited to only 250 copies, which were not offered for sale but given to the author's close circle. This former minister under Louis XV composed these essays in 1736, and his son, the Marquis de Paulmy, had them published nearly fifty years later.

Contemporary half brown calf, grained paper boards, spine with five raised bands decorated with five compartments featuring double gilt fillets, red morocco lettering piece, red speckled edges.

First edition entirely hand-painted by Jacques Capdeville and printed in 30 numbered copies on vellum, with a small number of hors-commerce copies also issued.

Rare and fine copy, complete with its full flexible paperboard slipcase and with the musical setting of the poem by John Supko, on tracing paper.

Handwritten signatures of Philippe Denis and Jacques Capdeville in the colophon.

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...

First edition in book form, issued for the centenary of the birth of Pierre Jean Jouve; one of 33 numbered copies on pure wove vellum, the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

Rare first edition of the French translation by Judith Gautier, printed on japon-style paper.
Slight restoration work to spine and a corner of the lower cover, wrappers slightly and marginally soiled as usual.
Illustrated throughout with full-page colour woodcuts by Yamamoto.

New compilation of the celebrated songs by the troubadour from Sète, including "La mauvaise réputation", "Le parapluie", "Le petit cheval", "Le fossoyeur", "Le gorille", "Corne d'auroch", "La chasse aux papillons" and "Hécatombe".
Inevitable creasing and light rubbing along the margins of the record sleeve.

A small ballpoint pen doodle in blue ink on the lower cover.
Autograph signature of Georges Brassens in the lower right margin of the upper cover.

First public edition of this text written under the pseudonym François la Colère, one of 50 numbered copies on Madagascar paper, the deluxe issue.

Rare and fine copy.

First edition.

Spine and boards slightly and marginally faded.

A rare and pleasing copy.

First edition of the Petits poëmes en prose, later entitled Le Spleen de Paris – Petits poëmes en prose. Second edition of Les Paradis artificiels.

Some foxing, mainly at the beginning and end of the volume.
Contemporary half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands ruled in gilt and decorated with gilt tools, marbled paper sides, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges, corners slightly rubbed.
The half-title bears the designation: "Oeuvres complètes". The work was issued separately, either on its own or as the fourth volume of the complete works, the publication of which extended over several...

First edition, limited to 59 numbered copies on Arches vellum, signed in pink pencil by André Masson beneath the limitation statement.
Rare and fine copy.
Illustrated with two original etchings by André Masson, printed full-bleed and issued hors texte.

First quarto edition, complete with all volumes and plates, commonly referred to as the “Third Edition” of the Encyclopédie, and also known as the “Encyclopédie de Pellet” or “Encyclopédie de Lyon” or “Encyclopédie du Lac” by Simon-Nicolas-Henri Linguet.

Full marbled and polished brown sheepskin contemporary bindings, spines with five raised bands and four gilt compartments decorated with pomegranate gilt tools, two gilt decorative rolls at foot, title and volume lettering-pieces in red and green morocco, boards twice framed in blind, board edges gilt, all red edges, marbled pastedowns and...

Reunion of three highly sought-after first editions, most notably the last, printed in a very small number of copies, on the expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain between 1609 and 1614, written by Marcos de Guadalajara y Javier and Juan Ripol. 

Volume bearing the royal and Jesuit arms, and woodcut initials with foliate and figural designs, after the macabre engravings of Hans Lützelburger. Woodcut-engraved border on the first and third title pages, elegant double black-ruled frame around the text. 

A superb copy bringing...

First edition and complete run of the 9 G.L.M. cahiers issued between May 1936 and March 1939.

A few spines slightly faded, as is often the case; otherwise a pleasing copy, complete with its original publisher’s slipcase in full grey boards, with red printed title label pasted to the spine.

With numerous contributions by most of the Surrealist poets, writers, and artists, including: André Breton, René Char, Paul Éluard, Philippe Soupault, René Crevel, Valentine Penrose, Federico García Lorca, Pablo Neruda, Michel Leiris, Max Ernst, Man Ray, and André Masson, as well as several spiritual forebears of Surrealism such as Franz Kafka, Lewis Carroll, and Raymond Roussel...

First edition, deluxe issue, one of 58 numbered copies on Montval paper signed by the artist on the colophon, with two original colour lithographs signed by Max Ernst.

Additionally illustrated with 11 full-page drawings reproduced in black and reproductions of paintings by the artist, including one folding plate.

Copy as issued, green wrappers illustrated with an original artwork by Ernst in perfect condition without any trace of discolouration as is commonly the case.

First edition, illustrated with a folding map and 469 engravings within the text.

Contemporary half black shagreen, the spine with four raised bands ruled in gilt and decorated with triple blind-tooled panels, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns; a few small scuffs to the edges, corners slightly rubbed.

Contents include: history; construction and manufacture of telegraph cables; laying and repair of submarine cables; electrical testing; fault detection; signal transmission; and the operation of submarine lines.

The author, Jules Hippolyte Eugène Wünschendorff (1840–1901), was an engineer with the telegraph service and director of military...

First edition.

Minor foxing, a pleasing copy.

The Roman jeweller Alessandro Castellani (1823–1883) was also an enlightened collector of ancient and medieval artefacts, from which he sometimes drew inspiration for his jewellery designs.

Jean de Witte (1808–1889), archaeologist and numismatist, became a member of the Institut in 1886.

First edition.

The association of the Lumière brothers’ name with the development of the cinematograph should not obscure the fact that Auguste Lumière (1862–1954) was first and foremost a biologist of distinction.

Having as early as 1895 left the new invention to his brother Louis, he established a laboratory of experimental physiology and pharmacodynamics in order to direct his discoveries toward experimental medicine.

This laboratory became the Lumière Laboratories in Lyon, which he personally directed until October 25th, 1940, when he transferred the presidency of the company to his son, while continuing his research until his death.

Fine copy. 

First edition, printed in a small number of copies, of this offprint from the Annales d'Hygiène publique et de médecine Légale, 1849, vol. XLII.

Modern Bradel binding in marbled-paper-covered boards, smooth spine without lettering.

Only three copies recorded in the CCF.

This memoir offers a detailed study of the physical characteristics associated with various occupations: laundresses, hairdressers, writers, prostitutes, bookbinders, dyers, etc.

Son of the draughtsman and cartographer Ambroise Tardieu, Auguste-Ambroise Tardieu (1818-1879) was one of the founders of forensic medicine; he published numerous monographs on medical questions relating to...

First edition of the French translation by Edouard Chavannes of an extract from the Journal of the Peking oriental society. 

Contemporary Bradel-style binding in full grey percaline, smooth spine decorated with a gilt fleur-de-lis, double gilt fillet at the foot, cherry shagreen lettering-piece with surface scuffing, partially toned endpapers.

This was the translator’s first scholarly publication devoted to this treatise, which forms the twenty-eighth chapter of the celebrated Shiji (Historical Records) by the first true Chinese historian, Sima Qian (145–86 BCE).

These records constitute the first systematic synthesis of...

Rare first edition of this small practical Malagasy–English lexicon compiled by the Protestant missionary Joseph Stickney Sewell (1819–1900), who was active in Madagascar between 1867 and 1876; although a Quaker, he was employed by the Anglican London Missionary Society.

No copy recorded in the CCF. Absent from Grandidier (who nevertheless cites other works by the author).

Publisher’s modest brick-coloured half-cloth binding, smooth spine without lettering, title blocked on the upper board, with light spotting and staining to the boards.

Title page and final endpaper toned,

First edition, illustrated with five engraved plates (see Crowley 894; David 258; Poletti 182).

Scattered foxing, otherwise a pleasing copy.

Contemporary half sheep, the flat spine gilt with decorative rolls and small tools, black morocco lettering-piece, headcap worn, some rubbing to spine and joints, marbled paper boards.

"… Serres did research into the development of the bones and teeth…" (D.S.B., XII, 315).

Very rare devotional work, for which no bibliographical information could be traced.

Not recorded in Hage Chahine, Blackmer, or Atabey.

Full brown calf binding, spine with four raised bands gilt-ruled and richly gilt-panelled, brown calf lettering-piece, contemporary binding.

Some restorations to the spine and joints, spotting to the edges.

Four-page manuscript in black ink on a folio bifolium (31.9 x 20.1 cm), 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, together with Etat des revenus fabriqués sur l'habitation de Monsieur le Vte de La Bourdonnaye. Signed Pérès and Grasset frères, Pitteu & Cie, certified at Verrettes and Saint-Marc on 30 June 1785.