Our Great Moderns

First edition of the fifth part of Michel Butor’s Revue rêvée - Le rêve du déménagement, complete with the original etching by Ania Staritsky, numbered and signed in pencil. One of 64 numbered copies.

Illustrated wrappers lightly soiled, minute tears at head of spine, otherwise a fine copy.

First edition; no large-paper copies were issued.
A fine copy.
Amusing autograph inscription, signed and dated by André Comte-Sponville, to a couple of friends named Frédérique and Christian: "... ce livre qui devrait être offert à tous les jeunes mariés ! ... (Au fait, avez-vous déposé une liste de mariage quelque part ?)"

Cultural events programme of the Fnac Saint-Lazare for October 1999, signed by Salman Rushdie above his portrait on the front cover.

The brochure announces a literary event with Salman Rushdie on 5 October, held to mark the publication of the French translation of his novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet (La Terre sous ses pieds).

First edition on standard paper.

A handsome copy, complete with its publisher’s wraparound band.

Fine presentation inscription signed by Milan Kundera: "Paris 1998. Pour Michel Tournier avec l'amitié fidèle de Milan Kundera."

First edition on ordinary paper.

Pages 10–11 lightly sunned owing to the presence of a newspaper clipping.

Fine presentation inscription signed by André Pieyre de Mandiargues: "à  Michel Tournier en très cordiale sympathie. André PM."

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies on Holland paper, the deluxe issue.

Full chocolate-brown morocco binding, spine with five raised bands framed with black fillets, date gilt at foot, gilt rolls on the caps, marbled paper endpapers and doublures, gilt double fillet borders on the doublures, gilt fillets along the edges, original wrappers and spine preserved, all edges gilt, slipcase edged with matching chocolate morocco, sides in marbled paper, interior lined with grey felt. A splendid binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.

A very handsome copy, perfectly bound in full morocco by Semet & Plumelle.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on Ingres paper, deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

First edition, with no deluxe-paper copies printed.
Illustrations.

A handsome copy despite the slightly faded spine.

Precious and fine signed presentation copy from Louis Aragon to Maurice Druon: "A Maurice Druon, pour qu'il sache que de temps je m'égarée dans Césarée. [sic] Louis".

First edition, one of 160 hors commerce copies on Lana vellum, ours being one of 60 hors commerce copies, the only deluxe issue.

Half long-grain black morocco binding, smooth spine lettered with the author’s name, title, date, and the palladium inscription “EX. JOSEPH KESSEL 1958”, wood-patterned paper boards, grey endpapers and pastedowns, wrappers and spine preserved, binding signed by Thomas Boichot.

Some foxing, mainly affecting the wrappers and the first and last leaves.

Exceptional and moving signed autograph presentation from Maurice Druon to Joseph Kessel: "A toi mon grand Jef, cet Alexandre le grand né lui aussi sous le signe du Lion en même temps que du Bélier et que tu as aidé de tes...

First edition of the French translation, of which no deluxe copies were printed.

Crease to the upper left corner of the lower cover and the last leaves.

Illustrations.

Precious inscribed copy to Bernard Kouchner: "To my dear friend Bernard always true to his beliefs and a great partner. With deep admiration and affection. Madeleine 15/11/03."

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Ingres d'Arches paper, the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

First edition, of which no deluxe copies were printed.
Pleasing copy.
Inscribed and signed by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing to Michel and Suzanne Blanvart.
 

First edition on ordinary paper.

A pleasant copy.

Precious signed autograph inscription from André Pieyre de Mandiargues: "A Henri Michaux le coeur de son vieil ami André Pieyre de Mandiargues" enriched with Yvonne Caroutch’s handwritten signature.

Autograph signed calling card addressed to theatre director Simone Benmussa, 8 lines in black felt-tip, with the original envelope.

"Chère Simone Benmussa, quel succès ! J'en reçois les échos de tous côtés ! Nous vous devons tous cette merveilleuse soirée. Laiseez-moi vous dire encore Merci et Bravo. En toute amitié. R. Badinter."

Literary adviser to the Jean-Louis Barrault – Madeleine Renaud Company and, from 1957, editor-in-chief of the Cahiers Renaud-Barrault, Simone Benmussa also headed, from the Odéon Theatre, the company’s cultural department and its journal. She adapted for the stage several works by her friend Nathalie Sarraute, including Enfance in 1984 (featuring Sarraute’s recorded...

First edition of the French translation, one of 325 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue together with a few alfa mousse copies not for sale.
Minor tears without loss at the head of the spine, which also shows slight sunning at the foot, final endpaper partially shaded.
A rare and pleasing copy.

First edition of the French translation, for which no deluxe copies were issued.
Precious autograph presentation inscription signed by Italo Calvino to his friend, the Argentine photographer José María “Pepe” Fernández.
Our copy is further enriched with an original photograph by Pepe Fernández depicting Italo Calvino leaning on a stack of books.
Signed by the photographer at the foot of the image, with handwritten notes and Pepe Fernández’s stamp on the verso.
Double autograph signature of Pepe Fernández on the front endpaper and the title page as presentation inscriptions, spine faded.

Edition from the year of the original, stating 78th thousand.
Copy complete with its wraparound band announcing the award of the 1965 Prix Renaudot.
A minute tear without consequence at the foot of one joint.

Autograph inscription signed by Georges Perec to Jean Berthou and his wife.

First edition, no copies printed on deluxe paper.
Illustrated, a pleasant copy

Precious and very fine autograph inscription, dated and signed by Samuel Mbajum: "Paris, 30 June 2014, au ministre Bernard Kouchner, avec ma sympathie pour votre combat humanitaire, en espérant que vous m'aiderez à plaider le plus largement possible la cause de ces oubliés de l'histoire franco-africaine, et aussi des débats sur la commémoration de la Grande Guerre."

First collected edition. No deluxe paper copies issued.

Publisher’s binding in full green cloth, flat spines, with their dust jackets designed by Adam Rusak, showing only minor and insignificant marginal tears.

Rare presentation copy dated May 1, 1992 and signed by Solzhenitsyn to USSR émigré journalist and writer Sam Yossman, on the title page of the first volume.

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on Arches wove paper, the only deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies along with a few hors commerce also printed on alfa.
Fine copy.

First edition on ordinary paper, bearing the correct colophon dated August 25, 1978.

With a printed stamp to the upper right corner of the half-title page; publisher's price sticker affixed to the foot of the lower cover.
A handsome copy.

First edition, one of the review copies.

A handsome copy, complete with the wraparound band: "Les rois mages racontés par Michel Tournier".

Inscribed and signed by Michel Tournier to the Belgian literary critic Pol Vandromme: "Pour Pol Vandromme en toute amitié."

First edition on ordinary paper.
A handsome copy despite a few tiny spots on the front cover, with the promotional band preserved.
Inscribed by Jean d'Ormesson to the Belgian literary critic Pol Vandromme : "... les baisers les plus affectueux de Casimir et l'amitié reconnaissante de J.O."



 

First edition, one of the advance review copies.

Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned, internally clean and well-preserved.
Work for which Patrick Modiano was awarded the "Prix Goncourt" in 1978.
Rare inscribed copy, signed by Patrick Modiano to Jean-François Revel.
 

Original black and white photograph depicting Maurice Druon in his Académie Française regalia.

A fine copy. Enclosed is the handwritten envelope addressed to the recipient by Maurice Druon.

Inscribed and signed by Maurice Druon in blue ink in the right margin of the photograph: "Avec mes meilleurs souhaits Druon."

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

First edition.
Fine copy.
Autograph inscription signed by Hubert Reeves to Robert Chevalier.

First edition in French, one of the ordinary paper copies.

A pleasant copy despite three small stains to the edges.

Signed presentation copy inscribed by Milan Kundera to Jacques Brenner, conveying his best wishes for 1990.

First edition on ordinary paper, bearing the correct imprint date of 25 August 1978.

Spine yellowed and creased as usual, internally in pleasing condition.

Rare signed autograph inscription from Georges Pérec to Chantal Labre.

First edition of this poetry collection, which was awarded the Cholmondeley Prize on publication, complete with its dust jacket illustrated by Leigh Taylor.

Publisher's binding in brown half-cloth, title, author's name and publisher's device gilt to spine, bronze-coloured glossy paper to boards. To recto of rear endpaper, a manuscript quotation in black pen by a celebrated English poet: "the mind can only repose on the stability of truth... Samuel Johnson."

Head of spine very slightly pushed. To the dust jacket, head of spine and upper left corner slightly chipped, old crease to head of upper board, a tiny tear to lower board, price clipped.

Autograph letter dated and signed by Michel Mohrt, four pages, addressed to Thierry Maulnier. 69 lines written in blue ink, notably discussing his candidacy for the Académie française to succeed Marcel Brion's vacant seat.
Folds from original mailing. A paperclip holds the two sheets of the letter together.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription signed by Patrick Modiano to the stage director, playwright and writer Simone Benmussa and her companion the actress Erika Kralik.
Literary advisor to the Compagnie Jean-Louis Barrault - Madeleine Renaud, then, in 1957, editor-in-chief of the Cahiers Renaud-Barrault, Simone Benmussa also directed, from the Odéon theatre, the cultural service and the Cahiers of the Renaud-Barrault company. She adapted for the theatre works by her friend Nathalie Sarraute, Pierre Klossowski, Jean Cocteau, Gertrude Stein... She was the companion of the actress Erika Kralik.
 

First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Two angular fold marks on the back cover.
Fine and humorous autograph inscription signed by Erik Orsenna to Bernard Kouchner: "Cher Bernard, la voici, la voilà, la terreur de Jean-Edern, la [comédie française], en deux mots brefs : la studebaker était une jolie voiture et Matignon un beau manège. Avec mon amitié. Le coupeur Erik." (Dear Bernard, here it is, here it is, Jean-Edern's terror, the [French comedy], in two brief words: the Studebaker was a pretty car and Matignon a beautiful riding school. With my friendship. The cutter Erik.)