Poetry

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and features an illustration by Steinlen: "Le plus vexé des trois".
With literary contributions by Alphonse Allais ("Absinthes", dedicated to Adolphe Willette), Rodolphe Darzens with the poem "Le conseil de la chair", Camille de Sainte-Croix ("Paul Margueritte"), Louis Marsolleau ("Villon"), among others.
A handsome copy, despite a small paper flaw at the head of the first page due to a printing defect.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, which it...

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This four-page issue is illustrated with drawings by Jean-François Raffaëlli.
Contains literary contributions by Alphonse Allais ("Episode"), Georges d'Esparbès ("Délila"), George Auriol ("Chroniques de province"), Rodolphe Darzens ("Pour celle qui boude")...
A handsome copy despite a faint dampstain to the center of the issue.
Le Chat noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897 with the aim of promoting the famous cabaret of the same name, of which it served as the living memory. It featured texts recited during performances. The review also stands as an...

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and features an illustration by Steinlen: "Coqs et poule".
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais with "Le pauvre bougre et le bon génie" dedicated to Henry Somm, François Villon with the poem "Rondel", George Auriol with "Au diable vert" dedicated to Steinlen, Rodolphe Salis...
A handsome copy.
Le Chat noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, created to promote the famous cabaret of the same name and to serve as its memory. It published the texts performed during the shows. More broadly, it constitutes a major literary...

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and includes a comic strip by Albert Robida: "Vient de paraître !"
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais ("La bonne fille"), George Auriol ("La statue de César Dupeauprez"), and Gaston Méry ("Au parc Monceau"), dedicated to Albert Tinchant...
A pleasant copy, with only a few faint marginal spots.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, of which it served as a lasting record. It published texts recited during the performances. The magazine stands as a...

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
The issue comprises 4 pages and features a comic strip by Godefroy: "Question de cabinet".
Literary contributions by Victor Meusy ("Les prunes de monsieur"), Alphonse Allais ("Le médecin (monologue pour Cadet)"), Rolla ("Tombes de fleurs")...
A faint dampstain along the left margin of the journal, otherwise a pleasing copy.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Émile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897 to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, acting as its living archive. It published the texts performed during the shows and stands as a major literary and artistic testimony...

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This four-page issue features a comic strip by Louis-Christian, known as Döes: "La bonne galette".
Includes literary contributions by Francisque Sarcey on "La Terre" by Emile Zola, Charles Cros "Psaume CCCCXXXIV", Alfred Béjot "Épitre à Allais", Georges Auriol "Malabar", among others.
One tear with loss and some light staining to the margins of the covers.
Le Chat Noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name and to serve as its chronicle. It featured the texts recited during performances and...

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and features a comic strip by Steinlen, "Du dernier bien avec le général", as well as drawings by Henry Somm on the facing page.
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais, "La forêt enchantée" dedicated to George Auriol, Raoul Gineste "Les vieux chats", and José Rolla "A l'église"...
A well-preserved copy, despite a few faint marginal stains.
Le Chat noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897 to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, of which it served as a record. It featured texts performed during the shows and stands...

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This four-page issue features a large double-page illustration by Steinlen.
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais (“Bébert”), Pimpinelli (“Pose de lapin”, dedicated to Albert Tinchant), and Narcisse Lebeau (“Paravent”)...
Some marginal tears and stains.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, which it sought to commemorate. It published the texts recited during the performances and stands as a major literary and artistic document of late 19th-century bohemian life and the...

First edition, one of 950 copies on Vélin Vidalon signed by André Marchand, the only printing following 49 copies on Vélin d'Arches.

Bound in black morocco-backed boards with corners, smooth spine, gilt fillet borders on cat's eye paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, all edges gilt. Slipcase edged in black morocco, marbled paper panels. Binding signed by D. Saporito.

Illustrated with 50 splendid original lithographs by André Marchand, printed by Mourlot.

Featuring previously unpublished texts by Georges Spyridaki, René Lacôte, Georges Hugnet, Gabriel Audisio, Raymond Queneau, David Herbert...

First edition of the French translation by Nicolas-Gabriel Vaquette d'Hermilly (1705 or 1710–1778), later revised by La Harpe (Quérard II, 30; Cioranescu, XVIII, 33 926).

Despite its very late date, this was only the second attempt at a French translation of Os Lusiadas (1572), following that of 1735 by Duperron de Castéra, which had failed to convince contemporary readers.

This edition includes 10 copper-engraved plates out of text, and is further enriched with notes and a biography of the author.

Bound in early 19th-century green bottle Russian morocco over pink paper boards, corners reinforced, flat spines with gilt double fillets and black ruling; some...

Autograph letter signed by Paul Verlaine to Anatole Baju, one page in ink on a watermarked leaf. Two small discreet adhesive reinforcements to verso. Published in Correspondance Verlaine, vol. III, CDLIII, p. 26–27.

An important letter by Verlaine, the most Decadent of poets, to the editor-in-chief of the journal Le Décadent, which published many of his poems. The poet announces the forthcoming release of a collection entitled Amis, a provocative allusion to the scandalous sapphic poems he had privately printed in 1867 under the title Amies.

New edition printed in 55 copies only (see publisher's foreword).

Only one copy of this edition listed in the CCF (BnF).

Contemporary temporary binding in full cherry paper boards, flat spine without lettering, minor rubbing to the binding.

Foxing, restorations to the head and tail of the spine, lower corners worn, a dampstain to the lower outer corner of the final leaves.

The text of Horace is in Latin only.

This rare folio edition was preceded in 1815 and 1818 by two small-format printings intended for student use.

The aim was to bring together in a single small volume the two principal sources of taste in versification, as upheld by classical...

New collected edition of the works of this German-born Neo-Latin poet, one of a few copies printed on deluxe Dutch paper (see Brunet III, 1180–1181. Cf. G. Oberlé, "Poètes néo-latins", pp. 134–137; Van Tieghem, p. 91 ff.).

The first volume includes a portrait of the author.

Full ivory vellum bindings, spines with five raised bands richly decorated with gilt floral and ornamental rolls, red morocco title labels, gilt dentelle frame to covers, gilt plaques with the legend "Minerva Dordracena" at the center of each board, sprinkled edges, red silk ties (mostly missing), contemporary bindings.

A fine edition according to Brunet, who notes: “There are copies on...

First edition of this issue entirely devoted to Guillaume Apollinaire.
With numerous contributions including those by Guillaume Apollinaire, Tristan Tzara, Pierre Albert-Birot, Paul Dermée, André Salmon, and Roche Grey. Iconography, illustrations, facsimiles; a complete copy including the portrait of Guillaume Apollinaire by Marcoussis.
Two small tears at the head and foot of the spine, a well-preserved copy.

Front cover illustrated with a portrait of Guillaume Apollinaire by Pablo Picasso.

First edition, one of 1,000 copies on Hollande paper, the only printing along with 50 on Japan paper.
Frontispiece portrait of Paul Verlaine by Philippe Zilcken.
Spine slightly sunned, upper cover with minor marginal toning, otherwise a well-preserved copy.

First edition, with no deluxe copies printed.
Publisher's full illustrated boards.
Illustrated with drawings by André François.
Joints slightly rubbed and darkened at head and foot, as often; discreet blue ballpoint pen note at the top of the lower cover; a pleasant copy.

First edition, one of the 300 numbered copies printed on red “bouffant” paper, the only deluxe issue alongside 5 copies on hollande. Covers slightly and marginally soiled, two initials in red ink in the upper left corner of the front cover.

Illustrated with a “portrait de crotte de bique et couillandouille par eux-mêmes” [portrait of goat-dropping and dick-and-drumstick by themselves.]

Very famous work from the Dadaist canon, written by Pansaers one year before his untimely death — the...

First edition of the French translation by Victor Largeau, presented in 1844 to the Geneva archaeologist Gustave-Philippe Revilliod (1817–1890) by Moors with whom he had become close.

Contemporary binding in brown half sheep with corners, spine with five raised bands and no lettering, marbled paper sides, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, soiled original wrappers preserved, modern binding.

Some occasional foxing.

An explorer—he attempted twice to cross the Sahara, the first time in this same year, 1875—Victor Largeau (1842–1897) later became a colonial administrator. He was the father of General Victor-Emmanuel Largeau (1867–1916), one of the founders of Chad.

Paris, Auguste Nepveu, bookseller, Passage des Panoramas, 1821. Quarto, xxviii and 462 pages.

A new edition of the Fables, described on the title page as "more complete than the preceding editions", illustrated with 110 half-page intaglio engravings printed within the text and an engraved title vignette. In the present copy, all 111 compositions have been finely coloured by hand. Rochambeau, 305; Desprès, p. 142, no. 63.

Twentieth-century full green calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets, rolls and floral tools, gilt rolls to the headcaps...

First edition.

Contemporary Bradel binding in grey cloth-backed marbled boards, smooth spine decorated with a gilt floral motif, gilt date and double fillet at foot, brown shagreen label, original wrappers preserved; a contemporary binding executed for Léon Vanier with the binder's ticket pasted ton front pastedown "Reliures Léon Vanier 19 quai Saint-Michel Paris" .

Our copy exceptionally contains a faded original photograph by Otto Wegener depicting Paul Verlaine standing with a cane and wearing a top hat; exceptional signed autograph inscription by Paul Verlaine in the lower right margin of the print: "A Léon Vanier son édité et ami. P. Verlaine." (To Léon...

Complete set of the first quarter issues (11 April-12-19 July 1886) of the symbolist journal La Vogue, the most important literary review of the late nineteenth century, containing the first appearance in print of Rimbaud’s Illuminations. Issues 1-12, published weekly, were gathered under a quarterly wrapper and offered for sale in September 1886. No deluxe copies were issued for this first quarter of the journal, which had a very limited print run. Copy as published, spine restored, upper corner of the second cover lacking.

First edition clandestinely printed in 175 copies on laid paper, each individually numbered.
 
Bound in full mint green morocco, spine with five raised bands framed by black fillets, subtle restoration to spine colour, date gilt at foot, endpapers and pastedowns of combed paper, gilt fillet border on pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, all edges gilt, chemise edged in mint green morocco, covers of cat's eye paper, white felt interior, an elegant binding signed by Alix.
 
A very rare and handsome copy bound by one of the most distinguished binders of the second half of the twentieth century.

 

Very rare first edition of this excellent grammar.

A few occasional spots, otherwise a pleasing copy.

Contemporary-style binding in half forest green morocco-grained shagreen, spine with five raised bands, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers, binding signed by Laurenchet.

The third part contains fables, tales, and poems in both Wolof and French.

Abbé David Boilat (Saint-Louis, Senegal, 1814 – Nantouillet, 1901), a missionary in Senegal, left behind a significant body of work: this grammar, the Esquisses sénégalaises, and several unpublished manuscripts.

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies on pur fil, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A handsome copy.

Exceptional illuminated manuscript of 35 poems by Stéphane Mallarmé, probably copied by Joris-Karl Huysmans on watermarked Hollande laid paper, after pre-first editions of the poems published in journals. Most of the poems are preceded by a separate title-page noting the source from which it is taken.

The manuscript includes a fine charcoal portrait of Mallarmé as a frontispiece by Charles Tichon, after a photographic portrait by Van Bosch. The portrait was published in the Mallarmé issue of Empreintes...

Autograph poem by André Pieyre de Mandiargues signed A.P.M. and dated June 5, 1974 entitled "Le plus libre graveur" and which he dedicated to Joan Miro.
Written in black ballpoint pen on a sheet, the poem, of 44 lines, contains some crossings-out and manuscript additions as well as an addition of a cut and pasted sheet in the lower right corner of the poem.
This text celebrating the painter Joan Miro and his style was published in the review XXe siècle in December 1974:
"Feu d'air ou feu de terre
 Feu de feu ou feu d'eau
 Le haut feu de Miro
 Se fait esprit de sel
 Acide ardent fumant
 Machoîre du dieu ivre
 Qui va mordre le...

Autograph letter in German signed by Rainer Maria Rilke to actress Else Hotop, to whom he writes under her stage name, Elya Maria Nevar. 2 1/2 pages written on a bifolium watermarked “Sackleinen”. Autograph envelope enclosed, addressed to ‘Else Hotop’ bearing postmarks dated November 3, 1918.Published in Freundschaft mit Rainer Maria Rilke, 1946, p. 35.

A precious piece of Rilke’s correspondence, reflecting the delights of an enchanted afternoon spent during WW1 with the actress Elya Nevar, one of his most fervent admirers.

Autograph letter signed by painter Elis­abeth Vigée-Lebrun addressed to his­torical painter and portraitist Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot. Two pages in black ink on a bifolium. Autograph address of Mme Haudebourt, 19 rue Rochefou­cauld, on verso of second leaf. Usual horizontal folds, tear without damage to the text on the second leaf due to the wax seal. A bibliographer's note in blue pencil on the verso of the last leaf.

Autograph poem signed by poet François Coppée entitled "Lied".
Light foxing to left margin of the leaf.
The signed poem, 14 lines in black ink on one leaf, was included in the collection "L'exilée" published in 1877 under the same title:
"Rougissante et tête baissée,
Je la vois me sourire encor.
Pour le doigt de ma fiancée*
Qu'on me fasse un bel anneau d'or.
Elle part, mais bonne et fidèle ;
Je vais l'attendre en m'affligeant.
Pour garder ce qui me vient d'elle
Qu'on me fasse un coffret d'argent.
J'ai sur le coeur un poids énorme ;
L'exil est trop dur et trop long.
Pour que je me repose et dorme
Qu'on me...

First edition, one of 48 copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.

Work decorated with illustrations by Jean Hugo.

Light rubbing to extremities of the slipcase.

Superb binding in dark exotic wood marquetry signed Pierre-Lucien Martin, dated 1962.

Binding in chocolate brown box leather with bands, smooth spine, gilt title lengthwise, first cover formed of a mosaic arrangement of dark wood pieces, with grain arranged in opposite directions, bearing the title engraved vertically and the author's name revealed in acrostic, second...

First edition, one of 75 numbered copies on surfine colored paper.
Work illustrated with 3 aquatints by Mimi Parent.
One scratch with three light stains on the first cover.
Handsome copy.
Precious and surrealist autograph inscription signed by José Pierre to Marie Cermínová Toyen: "A Toyen, les violons monégasques fabriqués secrètement dans les presbytères en partant de l'anémone de mer, José." (To Toyen, the Monégasque violins secretly manufactured in presbyteries starting from the sea anemone, José.)
Signatures of José Pierre and Mimi Parent below the justification page.

Lettre autographe signée de Pierre Drieu la Rochelle. Une page à l'encre noire sur un feuillet. Traces de plis transversaux inhérentes à l'envoi.
L'écrivain offre une très belle analyse de ses vers inspirés du front, rassemblés sous le titre provocateur de Fond de cantine, paru en 1920. Il demande l'avis de la poétesse Renée de Brimont, petite nièce de Lamartine, qui publia également à la Nrf : "Merci Madame de la décision très fine de ces vers me coupent comme un regret. Que chacun se retire...

First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on Johannot pure wove paper, the only deluxe issue.

Rare and attractive copy.

First edition, no deluxe-paper copies having been issued, one of the review copies.

Two minor losses at the foot of the spine, with faint crease marks to the margins of the covers.
Signed presentation inscription from Henri Michaux to Mr Rio.

New edition, revised, corrected and enlarged.

Bound in full red morocco, spine with five raised bands ruled in double black fillets, boards framed with double black fillets, wide gilt dentelle border to the red morocco doublures, following endpapers of combed paper, bookplate pasted to an endpaper, gilt fillets to the board edges, all edges gilt, superb signed Duru binding dated 1848.

With an introductory history of satire in France by Viollet Le Duc.

A very handsome copy in an elegant red morocco doublure binding by Duru.

Illustrated edition featuring 25 original colour watercolours by Lucien Boucher, printed in an edition of 750 copies on Rives wove paper.
As is usually the case, the chemise spine and the slipcase boards are lightly sunned at the edges, the boards uniformly and lightly toned; a fine copy internally.

Illustrated edition with 16 original colour engravings by Emilio Grau Sala, printed in an edition of 350 copies on Rives wove paper.
Spine of the chemise and boards of the slipcase marginally sunned, as is usually the case, boards evenly and lightly toned, a fine copy internally.