Literature & Cinema

Three typescript screenplays, signed by Martine and René Pagnol, for a film project that was never been produced and whose title had not yet been settled at this stage of the work: La Belle au bois or Isabelle au bois. Two copies, titled La Belle au bois, contain an identical text, whereas the third, titled Isabelle au bois, includes additional scenes and bears pencil annotations.

Illustrated covers sunned, some soiling, weakened spines with minor tears.

Together with two typed letters: one addressed to René Pagnol by the Hungarian-born British producer and director Alexander Korda, dated 16 April 1947 and...

First edition of the French translation, one of 45 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only large-paper copies.

Preface by Joseph Kessel.

A rare and very fine copy.

First edition, with all the first printing points (price of $5.95 at the upper right corner of the front inner flap of the dust jacket, "First printing" stated at the head of the copyright page).

Publisher's full burgundy cloth, smooth spine, complete with the illustrated dust jacket, showing light rubbing and some tears to the corners, not serious.

A pleasing copy of this work, masterfully adapted for the screen by Richard Brooks in 1967, starring Robert Blake, Scott Wilson, John Forsythe and Paul Stewart.

First edition, one of the numbered copies printed on alfa paper.
A very good copy.

First illustrated edition, one of 400 numbered copies on mould-made wove paper, this copy with an additional suite of all the illustrations in a second state on China paper.

Front and rear endpapers heavily foxed throughout, occasional light foxing elsewhere.

Illustrated with 55 compositions, comprising one on the wrapper, a title-page vignette, a portrait plate, a dedication vignette, five vignettes (one for each act), five full-page plates, and 41 illustrations within or surrounding the text.

Each act is illustrated by a different artist: François Thévenot designed the wrapper and frontispiece; Adrien Moreau illustrated Act I, Charles Léandre Act II, Albert Laurens Act...

First illustrated edition, known as the Keepsake edition, published a few months after the scarcer single-volume octavo edition issued by the same publisher (there is also a two-volume edition dated 1836); illustrated with an engraved title-page and 11 steel-engraved plates printed on heavy wove paper, after Johannot, Boulanger, Raffet, Rogier & Rouargue, engraved by Finden, Staines, and others. Clouzot (Guide du bibliophile français) notes that it is normal for this edition to lack the plate entitled "de l'utilité des fenêtres". Handsomely printed in spacious typography with generous margins, and closely following the original edition of 1831. This three-volume edition has more...

First edition, limited to 1,000 copies, this being one of 950 printed on Outhenin-Chalandre paper.

A fine copy, with a frontispiece map of the Pays d'Ouche region and complete with the publisher's printed publicity slip.

Signed and dated autograph inscription from Jean de La Varende to the bibliophile Maurice Gorrée, dated 1954.

In 1951, the novel was adapted for the screen by Yves Allégret, starring Jean Marais, Françoise Christophe and Jean Debucourt.

First edition of the French translation by Paule de Beaumont, also of Jean Cocteau's adaptation, one of 100 numbered copies on B.F.K. de Rives paper, the most limited issue.

Spine and covers lightly and marginally faded as usual, otherwise a rare and attractive copy.

First French edition, translated by R. N. Raimbault. One of 100 numbered copies printed on Lafuma Navarre pure wove paper, this copy numbered LXXIV. 

Copy in its original wrappers. In excellent condition.

First edition printed on ordinary paper.

A pleasing copy.

Affectionate signed presentation inscription from Jean Echenoz to his friend, the writer, screenwriter and filmmaker Jérôme Beaujour, also a specialist of Marguerite Duras’s cinema: "Pour Jérôme je t'embrasse, Jean. 6.XI.15"

First edition of the French translation prepared by Michel Vaucaire, who would later write the lyrics to the famous song Non, je ne regrette rien, singed by Édith Piaf. One of the rare named copies printed on japon. 

Vertical creasing to spine, minor corner losses to spine and boards, traces of erasure to first two leaves, as issued.

Illustrated with 9 black-and-white photographs, including one on the cover.

First edition on ordinary paper.

A pleasing copy.

Fine signed presentation inscription from Jean Echenoz to the writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker Jérôme Beaujour, also a specialist in Marguerite Duras’ cinema: "Pour Jérôme (qui m'a donné quelque chose p.109 à Pondichéry) et pour Elisabeth avec toute mon affection, Jean."

First edition, printed on thick wove paper.
Bound in contemporary half brown shagreen, smooth spines decorated with black typographic motifs, marbled paper boards, hand-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, modern slipcase edged in brown morocco with matching marbled paper sides and olive-green felt lining. 
Some occasional foxing, the note "Henri Beyle" in black ink at the upper corner of the title page of the first volume, without the final catalogue leaf at the end of the second volume, small corner restorations to four leaves of the first volume.
"Very rare and extremely sought after. Usually quite simply bound at the time. Often foxed" (Clouzot). "This work is of great rarity in...

New edition of the French translation.

Half saffron percaline Bradel binding, smooth spine slightly sunned and decorated with a central gilt motif and double gilt fillet at foot, brown shagreen title label with a few scuffs, marbled "cat’s-eye" paper boards, preserved wrappers, lightly rubbed corners, contemporary binding.

A fine set of the first four volumes of the French intégrale edition, identical to the original American structure. Volume 1 is housed in a metal case with embossed lettering and a folding map of Westeros. It is a copy of the highly sought-after very first French collector's edition of the series published in 2012. Volumes 2 and 3 followed in 2013, and volume 4 in 2014. 

Each volume signed by George R.R. Martin on the title page. The signatures were obtained during the author's only public signing session for French...

First edition dedicated to Louis Jouvet, one of 108 numbered copies on Lafuma Navarre laid paper, reimposed in quarto tellière format, deluxe issue.
Half red morocco-backed marbled boards, spine with five raised bands framed with blind fillets, date gilt at foot, marbled paper sides, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed by D.H. Mercher.
Premiered by Louis Jouvet at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées on 14 December 1923. The actor also oversaw the staging and set design; in 1933, the play was later adapted for the screen by Roger Goupillières, again starring Louis Jouvet in the leading role.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Small defects skillfully restored at the head and tail of the spine.
Rare inscribed presentation copy signed by Albert Cohen to Denise Mercier.

First edition, one of the review copies stamped "M.F." on the front cover and numbered in the colophon.

Small restored tears to the spine and upper part of the front cover, slight traces of creasing to the margins of the front cover.

Precious inscribed copy signed by Louis Pergaud to J.H. Rosny jeune, one of the historic members of the Goncourt Prize jury. Pergaud had won the 1910 Goncourt for his collection of short stories De Goupil à Margot.

New "À la bannière" edition with bevelled boards, violet on a red background, illustrated with 154 drawings by Férat engraved by Barbant.

Publisher’s decorative cloth binding "à la bannière" of type 6 signed by Lenègre, upper cover plate signed by Souze, lower cover of type e1 with central medallion on a black ground, framed with geometric motifs.
Attractive upper cover, with glossy percaline and sharp gilt, small black spots on the spine, head- and tailcaps collapsed as usual, some occasional foxing, small dark and light stains on the lower cover.
L’Île mystérieuse is linked, though not a sequel, to two other novels by Jules Verne, Vingt mille lieues sous les...

Exhibition catalogue of paintings by Tony Curtis, presented at the Center Art Galleries in Hawaii.

Catalogue illustrated with reproductions of works by Tony Curtis.

A very good copy. The original mailing envelope for the catalogue is included.

Signed by Tony Curtis in blue felt-tip pen on the front cover of the catalogue.

Provenance: from the collection of the distinguished autograph collector Claude Armand.

First edition of this program of events organized by the Centre National d'Art Contemporain from 16 October to 23 December 1974, presenting the works of Christian Boltanski and Jacques Monory.
The December date has been modified in green felt pen at the foot of the program.
Presentation of photographic, cinematographic and book-based works by Christian Boltanski and pictorial works by Jacques Monory.

A very rare document.

Black and white photograph depicting a smiling Tony Curtis.

A handsome example, with slight ink smudging affecting the last two letters of 'Curtis.'

Bold blue ink autograph by Tony Curtis in the left margin of the image.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Reprint of a photograph showing a young Shirley Temple lying on a bed.

A fine copy.

Inscribed and signed in black felt-tip pen by Shirley Temple, dated 1988, to the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Oblong color postcard depicting Charles Aznavour with his hands crossed under his chin.

A fine copy.

Signed by Charles Aznavour in black felt-tip pen in the right-hand margin of the card.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Black-and-white photograph showing a young Melina Mercouri lying in straw and chewing on a blade of it.

A handsome example. Press clippings mounted on the verso.

Signed by Melina Mercouri in blue ink.

Provenance: from the collection of the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.

Color postcard depicting a young Ginger Rogers wearing a hat.

A fine copy.

Boldly signed by Ginger Rogers in blue felt-tip pen.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Black-and-white photograph showing Debbie Reynolds smiling in profile.

A fine example. With the autograph envelope sent by Debbie Reynolds to the prominent autograph collector Claude Armand.

Signed autograph inscription from Debbie Reynolds to Claude Armand: "To Claude best wishes. Debbie Reynolds."

First edition on ordinary paper.

Paper slightly toned as usual, with a few insignificant spots on the edges.

Amusing and fine signed autograph presentation inscription from René Fallet to his friend Jean-Jacques Vaure; "Pour J.J. Vaure chantre mou d'Argenteuil 13 amicalemebt. René Fallet 16/11/51. Note de l'auteur : celui qui acceptera qu'on lui prête ce livre est un salaud. Pas tant que Vaure, mais presque."

Later print of a portrait photograph showing a young Gloria Swanson facing the camera.

A handsome copy.

Boldly signed by Gloria Swanson in blue ink.

Provenance: from the collection of the noted autograph collector Claude Armand.

Black-and-white photographic portrait of Glenn Ford, dating from the 1930s–1940s.

A handsome print.

Boldly signed by Glenn Ford in black felt-tip pen in the upper left margin of the image.

Provenance: from the collection of noted autograph collector Claude Armand.

Black and white photograph depicting a young Alice Faye.

A fine copy.

Signed by Alice Faye in silver ink in the right margin of the photograph.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

First edition, of which no copies were printed on deluxe paper.

A handsome copy, despite a very slight nick at the foot of the spine.

Black-and-white photographic promotional portrait for Disney studios, depicting Walt Disney. A minute black line is visible near the hair.

Rare and striking manuscript signature by Walt Disney in black ink, signed directly within the image.

First edition, one of 15 copies printed on japon impérial, most limited deluxe issue.

Bradel binding with grey box spine, front board in plexiglass revealing the original cover, back board in grey box, original wrappers and spine preserved, housed in a soft grey paper chemise lined with light grey felt; unsigned binding by Mercher.

Illustrated with three original lithographs, including the original colour illustration on the cover.

Discreet repairs to...

Autograph letter signed by Jean Cocteau, marked with his famous star, addressed to his great love, the actor Jean Marais. One page penned in black ink on a single sheet.
Traces of folds, horizontal creases inherent to mailing, two ink spots on the blank verso not affecting the text.
A magnificent love letter from Cocteau to Marais, who together formed one of the most iconic artistic couples of the 20th century. Set against the backdrop of turmoil and the German Occupation, their unbreakable bond is embodied in this letter of the writer, filled with desperate tones.

First edition, with no copies issued on deluxe paper.

Two unobtrusive creases to the front cover, a well-preserved copy.

Illustrated content.

First French edition of the translation, with no copies printed on deluxe paper.

A handsome copy complete with its illustrated dust jacket, which shows minor tears to the head of the spine and panels.

The book was adapted for the screen in 2006 by Tom Tykwer, starring Ben Whishaw and Dustin Hoffman.

First edition, untrimmed with wide margins, very rare and highly sought-after (see Clouzot). Some occasional foxing.

Illustrated on the title pages of both volumes with two engraved vignettes by Porrêt. This copy contains the publisher’s notice leaf in the first volume and the author’s note leaf in the second volume.

Contemporary red half calf over marbled boards, calf corners, spines ruled in gilt with...

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.

Foxing to spine and margins of boards, retaining the dust jacket which has small marginal tears.

Rare dated autograph inscription signed by William Styron to journalist Paule Villers.

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 in book form, published in London by Bradbury & Evans in November 1850, shortly after the completion of the 19 monthly parts begun in May 1849. Illustrated with 40 compositions by Hablot Knight Browne, known as Phiz: frontispiece, engraved title and 38 full-page plates.

Contemporary English half dark green shagreen with corners. Spine with flat false bands, decorated with gilt rolls across the bands and gilt fillets. Some rubbing. Internally fresh and clean. As is frequently encountered in this edition, the plates show moderate browning and foxing, chiefly around the edges. A faint dampstain to the plate Changes...

Long unpublished autograph letter signed by Marcel Vertès to Carlo Rim, six pages. Written in a large, flowing hand in black ink on three leaves, stapled together with an envelope and a newspaper clipping. Some light foxing and folds.

A long polemical letter in which Marcel Vertès, a year before his death, defends his attack on abstract art and reproaches his old friend Carlo Rim for failing to support him.

Typed letter, dated and signed in blue ink by Fernandel, addressed to his close friend Carlo Rim, the Provençal writer, caricaturist and filmmaker who was also his biographer, concerning their joint film, L'Armoire volante.

One page on Fernandel's letterhead.

Some light soiling and folds from mailing.

A document that sheds light, through the exchange between an actor and his director, on the inner workings of French film production in the late 1940s.

First edition, without edition statement, published simultaneously with the Paris edition issued by Pagnerre.

Contemporary red half-morocco bindings, flat spines twice ruled in gilt, large rule in blind and gilt floral tools, gilt roll-tooling at head and foot, slight rubbing to two headcaps, red cloth boards decorated with blind-stamped floral motifs, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, a few corners slightly bumped, a few minor nicks to some edges, contemporary bindings.
Some foxing and pale marginal staining, as usual, a small black ink stain in the margins of one gathering in the second volume, a slight loss to the upper right-hand corner of the first leaves of the sixth...

First edition, one of 200 numbered hors commerce copies on alfa paper, reserved for review copies.

Fine copy, complete with the publisher's review slip.

Signed presentation copy from Marcel Pagnol to Jacques Jaujard.

First edition, one of 212 numbered copies on pur fil paper, constituting the deluxe issue.
Occasional light foxing, chiefly affecting the edges.

Accompanied by a newspaper clipping and a photographic postcard reproducing a portrait of Georges Bernanos by Laure Albin-Guillot.

Half red morocco over marbled paper boards, with morocco corners, spine with four raised bands outlined in black, minor abrasions to the bands professionally restored, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt with the original deckle edges preserved, original wrappers and spine bound in.

A handsome copy in an attractive binding.

Fourth draft of the screenplay.

Printed wrappers worn, reinforced at the spine with adhesive tape, soiling, corner creases, small tear to the front cover, otherwise good internal condition. The mentions of the third draft printed on the front cover and title page are struck through and corrected in ink - "quatrième version" [fourth draft].
Newspaper clippings, brochures, and documents relating to the film and its screenings are laid in. A few pencil annotations on pages 22, 23, 105, and 108.

An intermediate draft of the screenplay for Louis Malle's classic film recounting a traumatic episode from his childhood during the Occupation.

First edition, on ordinary paper, of Philippe Jaccottet's French translation.

Very slight, insignificant rubbing to the joints.

A fine copy of this work, which was adapted for the screen by Volker Schlöndorff in 1966.

Illustrated edition with decorative initials and 16 original lithographs by Lucien Moretti, each signed in pencil; one of 173 numbered copies on Arches wove paper.

Preface by Georges Brassens.

A fine copy, issued in loose sheets in a folder and burgundy cloth slipcase.

Signed presentation inscription from René Fallet: Pour madame et monsieur Prigent 13 apostoliquement leur René Fallet, together with a signed presentation inscription from Raymond Moretti to the same recipients.

Our copy is further enhanced by the autograph signature of Georges Brassens on the facing page.