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 350 numbered copies on handmade paper, ours unnumbered, the only deluxe copies.
Half-shagreen red binding, spine with five raised bands highlighted with gilt dotting and decorated with double gilt fillets, small stains on spine, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, front cover preserved, corners very slightly bumped, speckled top edge, contemporary binding.
Precious autograph inscription dated and signed by Marcel Bleustein, who took the pseudonym Blanchet during the Resistance, to Paul Verneyras.
Press man, union activist and politician, Paul Verneyras joined the Resistance from 1940 by participating in the...
First edition, one of 150 numbered copies on vellum, the only deluxe copy.
Bound in half red chagrin, spine with five raised bands set with gilt dotted lines and decorated with double gilt fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and flyleaves of mould-made paper, first cover preserved, speckled top edge.
A pleasant copy.
First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on handmade vellum, the only deluxe copies.
Bound in half-red shagreen, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt dots and ornamented with double gilt fillets, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, front cover preserved, top edge speckled.
Preface by General Roques.
Handsome copy complete with its folding map at the end of the volume.
First French edition, one of 77 numbered copies on pur fil, only deluxe issue.
Preface by Albert Camus.
Nice copy housed under a chemise and slipcase by Devauchelle.
First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on bouffant vellum paper from the Salzer mills, ours being No. 1, the only deluxe paper issue.
Handsome copy of this work awarded the Grand Prix du Roman of the Académie française.
First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on pur fil de lana, only deluxe issue.
Nice copy.
First edition of the French translation, one of 51 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.
Spine and boards slightly and marginally sunned, as often.
Rare and handsome copy of this work, splendidly adapted for the screen in 1967 by Richard Brooks, with Robert Blake, Scott Wilson, John Forsythe, and John MacLiam in the leading roles.
Richard Brooks even went so far as to film in the actual house where the crime took place, as well as in the same courthouse, where 7 of the 12 jurors played their own roles.
