La bataille de Toulouse
First edition, one of 135 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe copies.
A handsome copy.
Signed autograph note by José Cabanis on the half-title.
Wove paper, invented by James Whatman for the English publisher John Baskerville, is distinguishable by the absence of chain and wire lines in its overall finish.
It earned its French name “papier vélin” for its similar appearance to the ancient vellum skin that preceded the invention of paper. Over the centuries, some very rare copies were still printed on vellum calfskin, as a special order for distinguished patrons.
Smooth and satiny, generally perfectly white, wove paper is homogeneous, without grain or texture. The reader appreciates its clarity rather than its innate beauty. The frequently attached term "Pur fil", means "abundant" (but rarely an exclusive composition) in linen and hemp, like the rag papers of yesteryear. Its supple feel invites insatiable reading and is ideal for the discovery of unknown texts and new authors.
First edition, one of 135 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe copies.
A handsome copy.
Signed autograph note by José Cabanis on the half-title.
First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Johannot pure rag paper, the deluxe issue.
A fine copy.
Inscribed and signed by Roger Vailland to the publisher Jean Chastel.
First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
A fine copy.
First edition, one of 249 numbered copies on B.F.K. de Rives, the only printing alongside 1 on Hollande and 24 on cream Renage vellum.
Illustrated with 4 original color lithographs by Rufino Tamayo.
This copy is further enriched with an additional suite of the 4 lithographs by Rufino Tamayo, usually reserved for the deluxe copies.
Printed stamps to the versos of each engraving: "Annulation d'estampille pour annulation de vente".
A rare and desirable copy.
Exceptional and Surrealist autograph inscription signed by Benjamin Péret to Toyen, inspired by the Aztec pantheon: "A Toyen la fille de Pilzintacutli, son ami Huitzilopochtli. Rectifions : son père est Xochipilli, l'autre n'esu qu'un intrus. Benjamin Péret 2 juin 1953."
First edition, one of 74 numbered copies on Rives vellum, deluxe edition.
Beautiful copy.
First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on chiffon vélin paper, the only deluxe copies aside from a few out-of-commerce copies also printed on chiffon vélin.
A fine copy.
First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Lana wove paper, a deluxe issue.
Handsome copy, untrimmed, despite some occasional foxing to the deckle edges.
First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on Arches wove paper, the only deluxe issue.
A fine copy.
First edition, one of 100 copies numbered on pur fil du Marais, the deluxe issue.
A handsome copy, despite a few insignificant foxing spots at the head of the upper cover.
In 1955, the book was splendidly adapted for the screen by Jean Delannoy, starring Jean Gabin, Robert Dalban, Serge Lecointe, Anne Doat and Jimmy Urbain.
First edition, one of 105 numbered copies on vélin neige, the only deluxe copies issued after 12 on pur fil.
Handsome copy.
First edition, one of 137 numbered copies on pure vellum paper, a deluxe issue following 80 copies on Montval paper.
A handsome copy.
First edition of the French translation, one of 50 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe issue.
Attractive copy, with minor foxing to the spine.
First edition, one of 158 copies printed on pur fil paper, following only 45 on Hollande.
A fine copy.
First edition, one of 230 numbered copies on Vélin du Marais, the deluxe issue.
A handsome copy.
First edition in French, one of 1,000 numbered copies on Annonay rag paper, the only deluxe paper copies.
Illustrated with numerous photographs. Preface by Maurice Herzog. Foreword by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Publisher’s full flexible boards binding. Lacking slipcase, spine sunned with minor tears at head and foot.
Rare and handsome autograph inscription, dated and signed by General John Hunt: "A M. Robert Moch vous témoignant notre reconnaissance de nous avoir préparé la trace jusqu'au sommet du signal de l'Iséran le 3 janvier - et pour vous exprimer nos regrets de ne pas l'avoir suivie ! John Hunt 7/1/54."
This copy is further enhanced with the handwritten signature of Edmund Hillary beneath the inscription.
First edition, one of 40 copies printed on Crèvecoeur du Marais paper, the only copies on deluxe paper.
A pleasant copy, despite a faint sunning at the foot of the spine.
First edition of the French translation, one of 44 numbered copies on pur fil, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
Spine very slightly sunned without consequence, bookplate affixed to the verso of the front cover, a handsome copy.
First edition, one of 1,500 copies printed on vellum paper, this one unnumbered.
A handsome copy.
Illustrated with a frontispiece by Jean Berque.
Exceptional full-page signed presentation inscription from Abel Bonnard to Hubert Lyautey, the first Resident-General of the French Protectorate in Morocco: "A monsieur le maréchal Lyautey, qui, marmi tant d'autres illustres, a aussi sauvé la beauté du Maroc. En respectueux hommage. Abel Bonnard."
First edition, one of 62 numbered copies on madagascar paper, deluxe copy.
Some light foxing affecting mainly the edges.
Half dark blue morocco binding, spine with five raised bands, cat's-eye paper boards, combed paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed by Devauchelle.
Handsome copy beautifully executed.
First edition of the French translation, one of 150 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies issued after 25 copies on Holland paper.
A fine copy with all edges untrimmed.
First edition, printed in 105 copies on Rives wove paper, this copy being one of the 60 with an original etching signed in pencil by Annie Proszynska.
Colophon signed in pencil by both Guy Rohou and Annie Proszynska.
Illustrated with 15 original etchings by Annie Proszynska, including a frontispiece, a full-page plate, a double-page plate, and 12 in-text illustrations.
A fine copy, complete with its original Siena moiré cloth chemise and slipcase.
First edition, one of 120 numbered copies on Lafuma pure wove paper, the only large-paper issue.
Endpapers very slightly and marginally toned, two small tears at foot of spine.
A rare and much sought-after copy in original state.
First edition printed by "Cercle nouveau du livre" before the deluxe edition by Julliard a few months later, one of the numbered copies, the only printing.
Very handsome copy complete with its rhodoid.
Publisher's binding in full green cloth, smooth spine, title and author's name stamped in gilt on the front cover.