Supple and very light, this beautiful, silky, puffy paper is nonetheless considered the least prized of luxury limited issues, and is not even regarded as a true “grand papier” (large paper, or special paper issue). In France, papier Alfa is used for authors' copies, or limited copies with the highest number, often printed in large quantities. In England, where large paper copies are less common, Alfa became the default publishing paper from the end of the 19th century. Often inexpensive, copies on Alfa are very pleasant to read and offer a good approach to book collecting.
First edition, one of 1050 numbered copies on alfa paper.
Two very slight sunning without gravity to head of boards, handsome copy.
Paperboard binding after Mario Prassinos' original design.
First trade edition, one of only 50 numbered copies printed on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.
Rare and very attractive copy in original condition.
First edition, one of 32 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.
Illustrated with 16 heliogravure plates, with a preface by René Schoeller.
A faint transverse crease to the head of the front cover.
A handsome and uncommon copy.
First edition, one of 24 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.
With sections devoted in particular to Cesare Pavese and Alberto Moravia...
A rare and attractive copy of Dominique Fernandez’s first published work.
First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on alfa, only deluxe copies. Some light foxing, mainly on the endpapers.
Rare signed presentation copy in French: “To my friend René Jasinski, in token of gratitude and friendship, these few scenes of Jewish life in New York. T. Twersky”, with a sentence in Hebrew translated by the author in French on a laid-in leaf: “Translation of the Hebrew inscription: sixth day of the week ‘Pekoudè’, year 5692 since the creation of the world, in the holy community of Paris”, (Friday, 4 March 1932 according to our calculation).
First edition, one of 2,080 numbered copies on alfa paper.
Publisher’s binding designed from the original layout by Mario Prassinos.
Spine faded as usual.
First edition of the French translation, one of 25 numbered copies on alfa vellum, the only deluxe paper copies.
Handsome copy.
First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on alfa vellum, the only copies on deluxe paper.
Slight sunning at the foot of the spine.
A handsome copy.
First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on alfa vellum, ours being No. 1, the only copies on deluxe paper.
Rare and handsome copy.
First edition, one of 265 numbered copies on alfa paper.
A handsome copy, notwithstanding a small marginal tear to the lower cover.
First edition, one of 1,200 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only large paper copies after 50 on Marais.
Spine very slightly faded as usual.
Handsome autograph inscription signed by Henri Michaux to Raymond Queneau.
First edition, one of numbered copies on alfa.
A good copy.
Autograph inscription from Irène Némirovsky to monsieur Maier.
First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on alfa, the only deluxe issue.
Illustrations.
A few very light, insignificant spots of foxing.
A handsome copy, complete with its illustrated dust jacket.
First edition of the French translation, one of 325 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue together with a few alfa mousse copies not for sale.
Minor tears without loss at the head of the spine, which also shows slight sunning at the foot, final endpaper partially shaded.
A rare and pleasing copy.
First edition, a numbered copy on alfa du Marais paper, this one not included in the justification.
Handsome autograph inscription signed and dated by Aimé Césaire to Raymond Queneau: “Très sympathique hommage de ces bucoliques de sang et de soleil... [a very affectionate homage of these bucolics of blood and sunshine...]”
Covers and spine slightly sunned at edges (but not seriously).
First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on alfa, the only grands papiers (deluxe copies) after 5 pur-fil paper.
Bound in half green morocco, paste paper boards, marbled paper endpapers, wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, contemporary binding signed Lucie Weill.
Skilful and discreet repair to the top of a joint.
Illustrated with 6 vignettes by André Derain.
Handsome inscription signed by Antonin Artaud: “à Alice & à Carlo Rim que j'aime beaucoup parce que j'aime dans la vie tout ce qui est nature, franc et sans fard et la vie d'Héliogabale aussi est franche et sans fard et dans la ligne de la grande Nature. Antonin Artaud leur ami.” (“To Alice & Carlo Rim whom I love very much because I love in life all that is nature, frank and unvarnished and the life of Elagabalus is also frank and unvarnished and in line with the great Nature. Antonin Artaud their friend.”)
First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
A handsome copy, despite slight and marginal fading to the spine and covers.
First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
Quarter red shagreen with corners, spine with four raised bands ruled in black, gilt-patterned paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.
A handsome and scarce copy, attractively bound.
First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine very slightly faded, a pleasing copy.
First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.
Bound in red half shagreen with corners, spine with four raised bands framed by blind fillets, sides covered in gilt-effect paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt on witnesses.
A handsome copy in an attractive binding.
First edition, one of 115 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies aside from 35 on pure thread.
Two small spots of foxing on the front cover, a discreet crease, a handsome copy as issued.
Rare and highly sought after in deluxe paper.
First edition, one of 29 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.
A fine and rare example.
First edition, one of 80 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
A handsome and rare copy.
First edition, one of 18 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.
Bound in navy blue half shagreen with corners, spine with four raised bands, gilt-effect paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.
A handsome copy in an elegant binding.
Inscribed and signed by Benoîte and Flora Groult to Maurice Gorrée (Benoîte signing on Flora’s behalf).
First edition, one of 110 numbered copies on alfa paper, this one not justified, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
Bound in red half shagreen with corners, spine with four raised bands framed by black fillets, covers with gilt-patterned paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.
A handsome copy in an attractive binding.
Illustrated with 16 phototype plates.
First edition, one of 175 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
A fine copy.
First edition of the French translation, one of 240 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies after 7 on Japan paper, 10 on Arches, and 21 on pure rag vellum.
Restored tear at head of spine, which is also cracked, slight tears along the right margin of the front cover, internally clean and appealing.
First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
Contemporary half red shagreen binding with corners, spine with four raised bands ruled in black, gilt date at foot, gilt-effect paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt; an attractive unsigned binding.
A handsome and rare copy, finely bound.
First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.
A rare and handsome copy.
Inscribed and signed by Jean de La Varende to Monsieur Gorrée.
First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies after 28 on pur fil.
A handsome copy.
First edition, one of the numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.
A rare and attractive copy.
Preface by Jean de La Varende.
First edition of the French translation, one of 40 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
Handsome copy.
First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies along with a few hors commerce also printed on alfa.
Fine copy.
First edition, one of 90 numbered copies on alfal paper, the only copies on deluxe paper.
Fine copy, complete with the loose and folding map.
First edition, one of 330 numbered copies on alfa paper.
Pleasant copy.
First edition, one of 450 numbered copies on Alfa paper, after only 17 on Hollande and 22 on pur fil.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned, as usual, otherwise a pleasing copy.
First edition, one of 1050 numbered copies on bouffant alfa paper.
Publisher's binding after the original design by Paul Bonet.
Very handsome copy complete with its flexible cardboard slipcase.
First edition, one of 38 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies issued.
A very handsome copy.
First edition, one of 1050 numbered copies on alfa bulky paper.
Publisher's binding after the original design by Paul Bonet.
Handsome copy despite slight traces of sunning at head and foot of spine and to margins of boards.
