Preface by Valéry Larbaud.
The elegant laid paper (vergé de Hollande), with its wire and chain lines, is the illustrious descendant of the vergés invented in France by Protestant craftsmen who took refuge in the Netherlands after Louis XIV ordered the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Although this fine paper is not very sensitive to foxing and ageing, it is rarely used for the very limited issues reserved for the author or a few bibliophiles. Laid paper is nevertheless the preferred special paper for limited issues of most novels of the late 19th and 20th centuries. This thick, supple paper, with a smooth ivory color, soaks up light and delightfully blends it with ink. It's the ideal medium for rereading your favorite texts.
First edition, one of 41 numbered copies on Holland paper, the deluxe issue.
Bound in full jansenist dark green morocco, smooth spine very lightly sunned, grey suede endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, all edges gilt, housed in a slipcase trimmed with dark green morocco, paper-covered boards with a wood-grain effect, grey paper lining; a superb full morocco binding signed by A. Bourdet.
A pleasant copy, finely bound and preserved.
Provenance: from the library of the distinguished bibliophile François Ragazzoni, with his bookplate mounted on an endpaper.
First edition, one of 41 numbered copies on Hollande paper, deluxe issue.
Binding in half black morocco-grained shagreen with bands, smooth spine, gilt date at tail, gilt fillet frame on mouse-grey paper boards, guards and pastedowns of black paper, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, others uncut, full black morocco-grained shagreen slipcase with black paper interior, binding signed Montécot.
A fine copy.