Gift Ideas – Manuscripts & Letters

Autograph manuscript by the author of 4½ pages in quarto published in the November 27-28, 1943 issue of Journal des Débats.
Complete manuscript with very dense handwriting, containing numerous deletions, corrections and additions.
Literary chronicle published on the occasion of the publication of Paul Thiry d'Holbach et la philosophie scientifique au XVIIIe siècle by Pierre Naville.
The complete typescript is included.
Far more than a critique of Pierre Naville's work on Baron d'Holbach, this long article by Blanchot is a veritable philosophical pamphlet against the materialist thought of the Encyclopedists, whom he accuses of wanting to « know the world...

First edition for each volume.
Full brown morocco bindings, smooth spines double framed in gilt, headpieces lined in gilt, boards elaborately framed in gilt, beige morocco pastedowns framed in gilt, brown moiré silk free endpapers, following free endpapers in mould made paper, all edges gilt, original soft covers preserved, superb contemporary bindings signed by M. Lortic.
The first volume contains two original ink drawings by Prosper Mérimée: the first, captioned and signed in the lower right corner depicting the Duke of Brunswick, the second a tree and a wooded landscape with a handwritten inscription in Russian "Grâce à Dieu" and "Gloire à Dieu, gloire à...

Illustrated with original color etchings hors texte by Jean Bruller, one of 50 numbered copies on Japon impérial paper, the tirage de tête.
With 11 original etchings, of which 1 frontispiece, as well as 10 original initials and 10 ornaments by Jean Bruller.
This copy, like all copies of the tirage de tête, is complete with its suite of first-state etchings, its suite in black and white and an original drawing by Jean Bruller.
Additionally, there is the third state of a rejected etching.
Four small traces of adhesive paper to head and foot of endpapers, otherwise a fine copy.
Rare.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Arches, tirage de tête.

Authentic original drawing in black ink, signed “Max”.
This work was most likely executed in 1927 during a stay in Douarnenez at the house of his friend, the painter Jean Colle; also present was the latter's son Pierre Colle, who would become Max Jacob's dealer and close friend, before becoming executor of his will and overall heir.
Two tiny tears to half a centimeter of the upper margin, otherwise very well preserved.
Provenance : the personal collection of Philippe Laignel-Lavastine, a close friend of Max Jacob.