<p>First issue, first novel, first woman elected to the Acad&eacute;mie, first printing, first discovery, first publication, first journeys, first encounters&hellip; so many beginnings!</p>

Once upon a first time...

First issue, first novel, first woman elected to the Académie, first printing, first discovery, first publication, first journeys, first encounters… so many beginnings!

202 results
Once upon a first time...
  1. Juliette Drouet's copy
    Religions et religion
    Victor HUGO

    Religions et religion[Religion and Religions]

    Calmann Lévy|Paris 1880|15.50 x 24 cm|relié

    First edition.


    Black half morocco binding, spine with four raised bands adorned with gilt dotted fillets and double gilt compartments decorated at the corners, gilt date and the inscription "Ex. de J. Drouet" at the tail, marbled paper boards and endpapers, preserved covers and spine, top edge gilt, binding signed by René Aussourd.
    Some minor foxing, mainly at the beginning and end of the volume.


    Precious signed and inscribed copy by Victor Hugo to Juliette Drouet, the great love of his life: ‘To you, my lady. Humble homage. V.'


    This copy comes from the library of Pierre Duché, who acquired Juliette Drouet's entire...

    €18,000
  2. Les antiquaires.
    Donatien Alphonse François de SADE

    Les antiquaires.[The Antiquarians] Unique and complete autograph manuscript

    S. n.|[Charenton asylum] août 1808|17.50 x 21.50 cm|broché sous chemise et étui

    The complete original manuscript of one of Sade's first works, ruled in pencil throughout, comprising 40 leaves written recto and verso. This manuscript, like the other extant items from the Marquis, was dictated to a scribe and corrected by Sade himself. 
    Contemporary green paper wrappers with a small lack to middle of spine. Ink title, partly erased, to upper cover: 9/ Net et corrigé en août 1808 – bon brouillon. Les Antiquaires. Comédie en prose en 1 acte [Copied and corrected August 1808 – a good draft. The Antiquaries. A prose comedy in 1 Act]. This title is repeated on the verso of the upper cover.
    Numerous manuscript corrections, annotations and...

    €30,000
  3. Tourmente N°1
    Pierre ALECHINSKY, Bernard DUFOUR

    Tourmente N°1

    Fata Morgana|Montpellier 1968|23 x 30.50 cm|en feuilles sous chemise à lacet
    First edition of 130 numbered copies.
    With drawings by Alechinsky, Dufour and Hérold.
    Manuscript signatures by Michel Butor, Pierre Alechinsky, Bernard Dufour and Jacques Hérold on the justification page.
    A good copy in its chemise over marbled paper boards, title label pasted to upper cover.
    €450
  4. Hystoire agregative des annalles et cronicques danjou
    Jean de BOURDIGNÉ

    Hystoire agregative des annalles et cronicques danjou

    Chez Galliot du Pré|à Paris 1529|21 x 31.50 cm|relié
    Extremely rare first edition featuring a full-page engraving on the verso of leaf aiiii showing a scene where the author, kneeling, offers his work to Louise de Savoie, mother of François Ier, in the presence of an important assembly. Title page in red and black, text entirely ruled and set in 49 lines.
    Half brown sheep binding, spine with six raised bands set with gilt fillets, compartments underlined with cold-stamped fillets, gilt roulette and double gilt fillet at foot, brown paste-paper boards, all edges speckled red. Very small wormhole on the final gatherings affecting the text in places without concern, dampstain in the upper right corner throughout the...
    €4,500
  5. Mont de piété
    André BRETON, André DERAIN

    Mont de piété[Pawnshop]

    Au sans pareil|Paris 1919|14 x 19 cm|relié
    First edition of the first book of André Breton, one of 115 numbered copies on Hollande, the only printing after 10 Japon.
    Nicely bound in black and red Révorim by Jean de Gonet, endpapers and pastedowns of black paper, covers and spine preserved, binding made in only 200 copies.
    Illustrated with two unpublished drawings by André Derain.
    Occasional foxing, not serious, endpapers slightly faded al over.
    €2,500
  6. François Ier (Le roi chevalier)
    Albert ROBIDA, Georges TOUDOUZE

    François Ier (Le roi chevalier)

    Boivin & Cie|Paris 1909|30 x 37 cm|reliure de l'éditeur
    First edition and first issue of the full-page color illustrations by Albert Robida.
    Publisher's full grey percaline binding, smooth spine, front cover illustrated with a polychrome composition by Albert Robida, blue-grey paper endpapers and pastedowns, all edges gilt.
    Headcaps lightly rubbed as often, handsome copy.
    €400
  7. Monsieur du Paur
    Paul-Jean TOULET

    Monsieur du Paur

    H. Simonis Empis|Paris 1898|12 x 19.50 cm|relié
    First edition of the author's first work, one of the numbered copies from the first issue printed on press, the only printing with 4 Holland copies.
    Bradel binding in full floral-patterned paper, smooth spine, dark blue morocco title-label, original wrappers preserved (one lack filled at foot of second cover), top edge gilt, elegant pastiche binding signed by P. Goy & C. Vilaine.
    €350
  8. Le matin des magiciens
    Louis PAUWELS, Jacques BERGIER

    Le matin des magiciens[The Morning of the Magicians]

    Gallimard|Paris 1960|15 x 21 cm|relié
    First edition, one of 36 numbered copies on vélin pur fil, this N°1, the only large paper copies
    Grained sharkskin-effect leather by Alain Devauchelle (dated 2004), various shades of pink with glittering effect, no title to spine, a triangle of mother of pearl applied to centre of upper cover, maroon suede pastedowns and endpapers, covers and spine preserved, half maroon calf chemise with flaps, author and title in palladium, maroon suede lining, the slipcase edged with maroon calf and lined with grey felt
    A fine copy in an important artist's binding evoking the esoteric nature of the book.
    €3,500
  9. Instincts
    Francis CARCO

    Instincts

    Le Feu|Paris 1911|11 x 16.50 cm|relié sous étui
    first edition of the first book of the author and for which it was not drawn large papers.
    Bound in full vellum cartonnage way back smooth, flat decorated with a set of golden threads and black and golden jewels in spandrels, guards and contreplats paper, wrappers and back preserved and bound in, gilded head; case lined with shagreen and sand coated paper moiré, inside brown felt.
    Signed autograph Francis Carco to Mr. Rey.
    €300
  10. De theavilla capta [Ensemble] De caleti et guinae [Ensemble] Amplissimi cu iusdam viri epistola ad Francic. Lotaringum [Ensemble] De sacra Francisci II. Galliarum regis initiatione
    Michel de L'HOSPITAL

    De theavilla capta [Ensemble] De caleti et guinae [Ensemble] Amplissimi cu iusdam viri epistola ad Francic. Lotaringum [Ensemble] De sacra Francisci II. Galliarum regis initiatione

    Apud Federicum Morellum|Parisiis [Paris] • (Paris) 1558 - 1560|15 x 21 cm|4 parties en un volume relié
    Rare gathering of 4 pamphlets by Michel de L'Hôpital in first editions. Printer's device on title page. Contemporary monogram stamp on 3 title pages out of 4: four letters appear intertwined: B. E. L. J. Only the last text: De sacra Francisci II dates from 1560, all other titles being from 1558. Text in italics.
    Modern binding in full brown boards signed Boichot, smooth spine decorated with a red morocco title-label in Chinese style framed by two double gilt fillets, all edges red.
    Small wormholes in the lower part of the first text. Traces of pale dampstains at bottom of pages. One wormhole to the left of the printer's device and passing through the 4 leaves. Pale dampstains...
    €3,500
  11. Christophe Colomb
    Antoine-François-Félix ROSELLY DE LORGUES

    Christophe Colomb

    Victor Palmé|Paris 1879|19.50 x 28.80 cm|relié
    First illustrated edition with 5 chromolithographs, one color map, all pages within a wide engraved border featuring marine scenes, landscapes, monuments... The effect of these borders is quite extraordinary when one further considers that they are renewed on each page.
    Publisher's binding in half red shagreen bound by Engel and richly decorated with two special plates, a repeated ornament at head and foot, scattered stars throughout and thick and thin fillets. Special gilt plate created by Souze, an anchor in the foreground, caravels on the sea and the setting sun in which the American continent appears. The same plate is found on the back without the title. Traces of rubbing at the...
    €600
  13. Le petit ami
    Paul LÉAUTAUD

    Le petit ami

    Mercure de France|Paris 1903|11.50 x 18 cm|relié
    Rare first edition on ordinary paper of the author's first book, with only 6 Holland deluxe copies printed.
    Bradel binding in half sand-colored cloth, smooth spine decorated with gilt typographical motif, double fillet and gilt date at foot, olive shagreen title-label partially faded and marginally rubbed, marbled paper boards, one upper corner slightly bumped without gravity, contemporary binding.
    Copy slightly trimmed.
    €680
  14. Le sang d'un poète
    Jean COCTEAU

    Le sang d'un poète

    Editions du Rocher|Monaco 1957|14 x 19.50 cm|broché
    First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on pur fil, this one of 10 hors commerce, n°1, the only large paper copies with 15 unnumbered on vélin azur.
    Illustrated with hors-texte author's drawings.
    A very good copy.
    €750
  15. Les bouches inutiles
    Simone de BEAUVOIR

    Les bouches inutiles

    Gallimard|Paris 1945|12 x 19 cm|broché
    First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on vélin pur fil, this one n°1, the only large paper copies.
    A very good copy.
    €2,300
  16. L'empire et la trappe
    Jacques AUDIBERTI

    L'empire et la trappe

    Librairie du carrefour|Paris 1930|13.50 x 20.50 cm|broché
    First edition of the author's first book, with no mention of large paper copies.
    Autograph inscription from Jacques Audiberti to Roland Dorgelès.
    A very good copy.
    €200
  17. Au moment voulu
    Maurice BLANCHOT

    Au moment voulu

    Gallimard|Paris 1951|12 x 19 cm|broché
    First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on pur fil, this one is the number 1, the only large paper copies. A nice copy.
    €1,000
  18. With a finely designed ex-libris, probably by Félicien Rops
    La 628-E8
    Octave MIRBEAU (inscribed to Jean AJALBERT)

    La 628-E8[The 628-E8]

    Charpentier|Paris 1907|12 x 19.50 cm|relié

    Second edition on ordinary paper.


    Bradel binding in half orange cloth, smooth spine very slightly faded decorated with gilt floral motif, double gilt fillet at foot, chocolate shagreen title label, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding.

    Precious presentation copy, inscribed by Octave Mirbeau to Jean Ajalbert.

    Provenance: Jean Ajalbert’s Japanesque bookplate, in the style of the Nabis, woodcut printed in a very small number of copies and signed with a monogram, probably that of Félicien Rops. “"His bookplate bears all the character of his literature: it is an idealised synthesis of his native Auvergne and of Mount...

    €680
  19. Du dandysme et de G. Brummell
    Jules BARBEY D'AUREVILLY

    Du dandysme et de G. Brummell

    B. Mancel|Caen 1845|11.50 x 15 cm|relié
    First edition, one of the extremely rare copies on Hollande fort paper, the only large paper copies, of which a few are on colored paper.
    Contemporary half black shagreen with black paper boards, spine in five compartments with black fillets, corners a little rubbed.
    With an autograph inscription from Trebutien to Georges Lesnard.
    A little light foxing to endpapers.
    In his Annales de Normandie, Jean-Luc Piré gives an analysis of the importance of the collaboration between Barbey and Trebutien, devoting an entire paragraph to Dandysme to underline the importance of Trebutien's contribution to this little work, among the rarest and most...
    €7,000
  20. Le jardin des chimères
    [Marguerite YOURCENAR] Marg YOURCENAR

    Le jardin des chimères

    Perrin & Cie|Paris 1921|13.50 x 17.50 cm|broché
    First edition, small printrun, of the first work by Marguerite Yourcenar, written under her semi-pseudonym of Marg Yourcenar
    A very good and rare copy of this work, of which there were no large paper copies.
    €2,000
  21. Della architettura di Gioseffe Viola Zanini
    Andrea MINORELLI, Giuseppe VIOLA ZANINI

    Della architettura di Gioseffe Viola Zanini

    apresso Francesco Bolzetta|in Padova [Padua] 1629|15.50 x 22 cm|relié

    First edition. P. Michel (works in Italian preserved in libraries in France) VIII, 120. Work illustrated with 95 plates on wood.

    Contemporary binding in full vellum, handwritten title in ink. Spine browned and stains on the boards. A clear waterstain on the lower margin throughout the work, not affecting the text.

    Giuseppe Viola Zanini (1575-1631), who was born in Vicenza and died in Padua, was a painter and an architect who worked in the Venice area. He was more of a decorative painter, renowned for such, than an active architect; architecture interested him as a means of expression of painted decoration. The work is divided into two parts, the first part focuses on the...

    €2,500
  22. L'imagination
    Jean-Paul SARTRE

    L'imagination

    F. Alcan|Paris 1936|12 x 19 cm|broché
    First edition of the author's first work, of which there were no deluxe copies.
    Minor worming affecting mainly the endpapers.
    €200
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