On the Road Again

Original color proof of a woodcut inspired by the work of Gauguin and engraved by George-Daniel de Monfreid for a frontispiece project, remaining unpublished, of Victor Segalen's Les Immémoriaux.

Only one other original color proof and one print run, in black and white (see below), are known to date.
Printed in two tones, green and brown, on old Japan and enhanced with gilt painting by the artist.

This engraved woodcut was to illustrate, as a frontispiece, the original edition of Segalen's Les Immémoriaux, an ethnographic novel, directly inspired by his trip to Polynesia following in Gauguin's footsteps. Segalen...

First edition of this rare portfolio, published in Paris by the artist around 1823, comprising thirty lithographs after drawings made by Jean-Baptiste Isabey during his journey through Italy in 1822. Complete with the table leaf giving the exact titles of all thirty subjects.

Original portfolio of heavy grey-brown paper, the printed upper cover serving as title-page and bearing the address of Isabey’s own studio in the rue des Trois-Frères; with a printed label reading “Œuvre complet” pasted on. A few pale spots of foxing to the table leaf; spine split for about 11 cm at...

New edition, the first and only one in quarto, of this extensive historical and geographical description of Switzerland, which originated in Abraham Ruchat's Délices and was progressively recast over more than sixty years. Published in Neuchâtel by Samuel Fauche in 1778, it comprises two volumes substantially enlarged from the earlier editions, combining Ruchat's text with that of Abraham Stanyan and contributions by several other authors. A binder's instruction leaf at the end of each volume specifies the arrangement of the extensive series of illustrations.

First edition, one of 1000 numbered copies on special paper called "Hôcho", the only printing along with 12 deluxe copies and 6 hors commerce copies.
Work illustrated with 14 drawings in the text by Audrey Parr engraved on wood by Bonkotsu Igami, "following the Japanese process", with a color composition by Keisen Tomita (on verso), engraved by Bonkotsu Igami, an autograph poem in facsimile, title page drawn by Noémi Pernessin.
Rare and very handsome copy without any foxing, spine of the blue percaline chemise slightly faded as usual.
Provenance: from the library of Doctor Lucien-Graux with his pasted bookplate.

First edition in French of the translation, corrections, additions and clarifications, established by Joseph Toussaint Reinaud in 1845, from the Arabic text printed in 1811 under the care of Louis Langlès.
Bradel binding in full marbled paper, original covers preserved, binding signed Thomas Boichot.
Very rare copy without foxing.

First edition of Langlès' translation from German, accompanied by 2 large folding maps on strong paper. Langlès is also responsible for the various notes and the memoir on oases, composed from Arabic authors. Another French edition appeared in 1802 and was made from the faulty English translation. Introduction by William Young, president of the African Society of London. Several memoirs expand the edition: Clarifications on the geography of Africa by Rennel. Memoir on oases. Observations on the language of Syouah. Notice on the Berber language (Conjugation, grammar, vocabulary).

Contemporary half green calf binding. Decorated smooth spine. Gilt title. Split to lower...

Third and definitive version published during Raynal's lifetime of the Histoire philosophique et politique des établissemens et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes, issued in Geneva by Jean-Léonard Pellet. The text appeared in 1780 simultaneously in four quarto volumes and ten octavo volumes; the present copy belongs to the octavo issue reissued with cancel titles dated 1781. Substantially enlarged from the versions of 1770 and 1774, this is the fullest form of the text published during Raynal's lifetime.

10 volumes, octavo. The first volume opens with a portrait of Raynal designed by...

The rare first French edition, translated by Jean-Baptiste Robinet, after the first English edition published in 1769. Four attractive separate engraved title pages. Changuion catalogue at the end of the third part. The edition shared in Paris with Le Jay appeared a few months later and does not have engraved titles.
Contemporary binding in full marbled brown sheep. Decorated raised-band spine. Beige morocco title label, tobacco morocco volume label. Triple fillet frame on boards. Loss to lower joint at foot of volume I. 3 corners bumped. Handsome copy, fresh overall.
Epistolary novel set in Canada. "The romantic customs of Canada and the manners of its inhabitants are described...

First edition, printed by the Imprimerie Royale in Paris in 1753, illustrated with an engraved title vignette, six folding maps and two further folding plates devoted to astronomical observations (positions of the sun and moon, together with explanatory diagrams). The maps depict the coasts of Acadia and Île Royale, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the harbour of Canso, the south-eastern coast of Île Royale, the harbour of Chibouctou (Halifax), and the south-eastern extremity of Acadia.

Fine...

Scarce first French edition issued in Hetzel’s Bibliothèque d’éducation et de récréation series.

Translated and adapted by G. Lemaire, with a preface and postface by Bentzon.

Publisher’s red half morocco binding, signed Lenègre at foot, spine with false raised bands richly decorated in gilt and blind, white moiré endpapers, covers framed with blind fillets, light rubbing to edges and corners.
EK catalogue at end.

A few occasional foxing spots and faint browning. A few leaves slightly sprung, otherwise a very good copy.
King Solomon's Mines was first published in London in 1885. The novel recounts the adventures of a party of English explorers venturing into...

The rare first edition, illustrated with a folding map.

Contemporary half green sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated with fillets. Gilt title. Tear to headcap with loss. One corner stripped of paper. Rubbing. Trace of pale dampstain on the map and from the first page of text to p. 69 in lower margin, and on the table. Stains on spine.
Physical and human geography of Egypt, Syria, Arabia and India, customs and manners. The volume was published when Bonaparte's Egyptian expedition had just been launched; it evokes the mythical route followed by Alexander the Great, from Egypt to India, a route coveted by the French.

NB: This work is available at...