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.
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...
First edition on ordinary paper.
Contemporary Bradel binding in half almond cloth, smooth spine very slightly faded decorated with a gilt typographical fleuron, double gilt fillet at foot, red shagreen title-label, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, front cover with small harmless stains at head.
Presentation copy, signed and inscribed by Jules Renard 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...
First edition, for which there is no mention of large paper copies.
Contemporary Bradel binding in half khaki cloth over marbled paper boards, the spine with gilt floral motif, a double gilt fillet at foot of spine, red shagreen title label (small marginal scratches), one lower corner rubbed.
A rare and precious autograph inscription from Alphonse Allais to his publisher Paul Ollendorff : "... le seul éditeur vraiment digne de ce nom, hommage d'un auteur qui n'est pas non plus dans une potiche [the only publisher really worthy of that name, homage from an author who is also not on a sinecure".
Provenance : library of Paul Ollendorff.
