Handsome copy.
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 80 numbered copies on Montval paper, ours unnumbered but properly justified with Montval at the foot of the spine and below the print run justification, deluxe copy.
Handsome full-margined copy.
First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on pur fil paper, most limited deluxe issue.
Endleaves and half-title slightly and partially shaded.
Exceedingly rare and handsome copy of this seminal text of modern feminism.
Our copy is housed in a custom gray clamshell box, square spine titled in red, author's name and subtitles in black, first panel hollowed revealing a black and white photograph of Simone de Beauvoir as a young woman under a plexiglass, title in red, author's name, first volume number and subtitle in black, second panel hollowed revealing a color photograph of the author in her prime under plexiglass, titled in red, author's name, second volume number and subtitle in black, box lined with burgundy paper, superb work by artist Julie Nadot.
First edition printed in 200 copies, ours one of the 30 on Holland paper, deluxe copies.
Spine slightly browned with small lacks and tears at head and foot, slight lacks and tears to board margins, handsome interior condition despite clear foxing on the final endpaper.
Rare.