Copies inscribed by the author, i.e. a handwritten dedication to a close friend. As moving accounts of the genesis of the book and the writer's links with the people of his time, inscriptions are a unique record of the author's life.
First edition of this collection of articles that Émile Zola wrote during the Dreyfus Affair, notably the famous « J'Accuse...?! » which appears for the first time in volume form. The last part entitled Mon Père is a compilation of articles in homage to François Zola.
Half binding, smooth spine, original wrappers preserved, binding signed C. Vilaine.
Autograph inscription by Émile Zola to historian and journalist Maurice Dreyfous.
First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on hollande, the only deluxe issue (grand papier) after 10 copies on japon.
Bound in gray half morocco in panels, smooth spine, gilt date at foot, abstract decorative paper boards, black onionskin pastedowns and flyleaves, original wrappers preserved, pastedown bookplate, top deckled edge gilt, binding signed Boichot.
Small tears with small lacks of paper to the margin of an endpaper and on the front cover.
The work is dedicated to Paul Verlaine who wrote the preface "which was a way of advertising to gay readers" (Graham Robb, Homosexual Love in the Nineteenth Century, p. 210).
Precious signed and inscribed copy to Catulle Mendès who will go on to write six years later "the first description of a male homosexual orgasm" (Graham Robb) in his novel La Maison de la Vieille.
This novel, although still tinged with a moralistic, guilt-ridden view of homosexuality, features the first gay sex scene in a French novel. It takes place near the Opera, in a palatial Turkish bath house, one of Paris' most famous cruising spots at the time when the influence of the Arabian Nights and the prospect of hedonistic pleasures were all the rage: "In this overheated atmosphere, Jacques savors the pleasures of body reflection and massage. Then comes the 'unpleasant brusqueness of the shower' before entering the steam bath, where several bodies lie naked and immodest. Suddenly, a young man of twenty appears with 'an aristocratic bearing, a blond head, the fat, bulging chest of the Capitoline Antinous statue'. It was love at first sight. Jacques looks out for him, follows him 'panting' and thus succumbs to 'unnatural vice'" (François Buot, Gay Paris, Une histoire du Paris interlope entre 1900 et 1940).
Neil Bartlett even suggests Oscar Wilde might have read the novel based on the plea he wrote to the Home Secretary from Reading Gaol, which features a similar description of his erotomania (Paul Hallam, The Book of Sodom, 1993).
This deluxe copy is exceptionally inscribed to Catulle Mendès, who also pioneered the writing of novels centered around gay and lesbian protagonists.
Provenance: library of Comte René Philipon, specialist in occult sciences, collector, entomologist and patron of the arts, with his pastedown bookplate featuring the Rosicrucian symbol of the Phoenix rising from the ashes.
An Annotated Bibliography of Homosexuality, II, 6694.
« Car les volontaires des Forces Françaises de l'intérieur [...] tous également fiers d'avoir libéré leurs provinces sans appui direct des forces débarquées estiment n'en avoir pas assez fait et se sont lancés, dans un élan spontané vraiment admirable [...] à la poursuite des hitlériens qu'ils veulent reconduire qu'au Rhin. [...] Un bon nombre se servent de véhicules de réquisition ou de récupération. Tel est le cas du 8e Dragons, groupe de reconnaissance motorisé de la colonne formée par les F.F.I. de Corrèze, qui arrive à Paray-le-Monial, le 7 septembre, en même temps que le 2e Dragons. Le Chef d'escadron Merlat qui le commande se met aussitôt à disposition du lieutenant-colonel Demetz qui l'incorpore d'emblée à son groupement. » (For the volunteers of the French Forces of the Interior [...] all equally proud of having liberated their provinces without direct support from the landed forces believe they have not done enough and have launched themselves, in a truly admirable spontaneous surge [...] in pursuit of the Hitlerians whom they want to escort back to the Rhine. [...] A good number use requisitioned or recovered vehicles. Such is the case of the 8th Dragons, motorized reconnaissance group of the column formed by the F.F.I. of Corrèze, which arrives at Paray-le-Monial on 7 September, at the same time as the 2nd Dragons. Squadron Leader Merlat who commands it immediately places himself at the disposal of Lieutenant-Colonel Demetz who incorporates him straightaway into his group.)
First edition on ordinary paper.
Small tears repaired at head and foot of spine.
Half black morocco binding, smooth spine, gilt date at foot, decorative abstract patterned paper boards, blue paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, binding signed Thomas Boichot.
Rare and precious autograph inscription signed by Charles De Gaulle on this text which he dedicated to Marshal Pétain: "A mon ami Louis Borel en souvenir de ses précieux conseils et de sa fidélité. Avec mon bien cordial témoignage. 7 octobre 1938. Charles." (To my friend Louis Borel in remembrance of his precious advice and his loyalty. With my most cordial testimony. October 7, 1938. Charles.)
First edition.
Former owner's name on upper left corner of title page, spine wrinkled.
Our copy exceptionally contains signatures of several members of the editorial committee of the Association des déportées et internées de la Résistance or former deportees to the Ravensbrück camp, including: Renée Mirande-Laval, Jacqueline Souchère-Richet, Hélène Renal, Rose Guérin, Jacqueline Rigault, Simone Gournay, Marie-Antoinette Allemandi-Clastres, some of whom have added their deportee registration number below their signatures.
