War 1939-1945: historical archives, pamphlets, leaflets, Resistance testimonies, collaboration documents, war memoirs

First public edition of this text by Jean Guéhenno, written under the pseudonym Cévennes, one of 60 numbered copies on Madagascar paper, from the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

Deluxe first edition on Oikos paper, limited to 200 copies, this copy being one of 5 presentation copies signed by the publisher and enriched with unpublished documents relating to the discovery of the manuscript.

Swiss binding with exposed stitching, smooth cloth spine, illustrated boards and slipcase.

Original French translation of the last manuscript recovered from a deportee assigned to the Sonderkommandos.

Marcel Nadjary (1917-1971), a Greek Jew from Thessaloniki, deported to Auschwitz in the spring of 1944, was assigned to the Sonderkommando. He wrote a...

Photographic three-quarter bust portrait of Jean de Lattre de Tassigny in uniform.

Slight foxing.

Autograph inscription signed by Jean de Lattre de Tassigny in faded blue ink in the upper right corner: "To my friend Pauchant, President of Rancourt-Verdun, most cordially and faithfully... Verdun 1937 - Colmar 1947." (our own translation)

First edition on ordinary paper.

Half black long-grain morocco binding, smooth spine tooled in palladium with author, title, and date, anthracite-grey paper boards, original wrappers and spine preserved (the latter with two small stains at head and foot), endpapers and pastedowns of anthracite-grey paper, binding signed Thomas Boichot.

Precious and exceptional signed presentation inscription by Louis-Ferdinand Céline: "A Mac Orlan son admirateur et ami fidèle. LFerd"

First edition, with no deluxe paper copies issued (except for No. 7) for each volume.
Our complete set comprises:
Céline Notebooks 1: Céline and the Literary Scene 1932–1957.
Céline Notebooks 2: Céline and the Literary Scene 1957–1961.
Céline Notebooks 3: Semmelweis and Other Medical Writings.
Céline Notebooks 4: Letters and Early Writings from Africa 1916–1917.
Céline Notebooks 5: Letters to Female Friends.
Céline Notebooks 6: Letters to Albert Paraz 1947–1957.
Céline Notebooks 7: Céline and Current Events 1933–1961.
Céline Notebooks 8: Progress followed by Works for Stage and Screen.
Illustrations.
Rare complete set.

First edition, with no copies printed on deluxe paper.

Minor spots to the covers, not affecting the condition.

Inscribed and signed by Georges Didi-Huberman to a friend named Annick.

First edition, no copies printed on deluxe paper.
Pleasing copy.

Signed autograph inscription from Robert Badinter: "Pour Claude Moncorgé, affectueusement, son cousin. Robert."

 

First edition, of which no copies were issued on deluxe paper.

Illustrated, complete with the two folding maps at the end of the volume.

Inscribed by René Grousset: "A monsieur Benoist-Méchin en témoignage de profonde reconnaissance" and additionally signed by Geneviève Grousset.

Accompanied by a one-page autograph letter signed by René Grousset to Jacques Benoist-Méchin, in which he thanks him for his interventions on behalf of his son-in-law and daughter, whom he saved.

First edition, one of 265 numbered copies on alfa paper.

A handsome copy, notwithstanding a small marginal tear to the lower cover.

First edition, one of 150 numbered copies, the only copies on deluxe paper.

Inscribed and signed by Jean-Pierre Abel to Paul Devivat.

Rare and handsome copy with full margins.

First edition published under the pseudonym Cévennes and completed under oppression in Paris on August 1, 1944.

Pleasant copy.

First edition illustrated with original photographs by Robert Doisneau, Marcel Arthaud, Pierre Jahan, Jean Roubier, Pierre Roughol, René Zuber, and Suzanne Laroche.

Publisher’s binding in full tricolour boards, smooth spine without lettering, slightly faded, upper cover decorated with a celebrated photograph by Robert Doisneau, minor spotting to the boards.

A pleasing copy.

First edition printed in 2,000 numbered copies, ours preserved in its original wrappers with Gallimard's resale label.

Fine autograph inscription signed by Jules Roy: "A Jean-Paul Bonnafous ces vieux chants d'un temps de misère, cordialement, Jules Roy."

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies on Vélin du Marais, ours one of 15 lettered copies not for sale, the only copies on deluxe paper.

Attractive copy despite a faint shadow along the margin of the upper cover.

First edition, one of 160 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe paper issue.

Half red shagreen binding with corners, spine with four raised bands framed by black fillets, gilt date at foot, boards covered in moiré-effect paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.

A handsome copy in an attractive binding.

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 edition of the French translation, one of 31 numbered copies on pur fil, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

Spine and covers slightly and marginally faded, a pleasant copy.

First edition, no deluxe copies on fine paper were issued.

Spine and rear cover slightly soiled; a clean and attractive copy internally.

Illustrations.

Valuable signed presentation copy from General Gambiez: "A monsieur J. Debu-Bridel en bien cordial hommage cet envoi de synthèse sur la libération de la Corse cette île qui nous est si chère. Château de Vincennes 26 septembre 1974."

A moving relic of the Resistance and Gaullist legacy.

First edition, one of the review copies.

Spine and covers faded, small chips to the corners of the covers and margins of some leaves, brittle and yellowed paper, front free endpaper detached, a delicate copy.

Exceptional and moving signed autograph inscription by Raymond Guérin: "Pour vous mon cher Calet ces Poulpes où vous savez tout ce que j'ai mis de foi et de désespoir. avec l'admiration et l'amitié du grand Dab. R. Guérin 11.5.53. P.S. Nous sommes au Madison jusqu'au 15 mai, puis, du 29 mai au 5 juin. R.G."

First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on Rives vellum, the deluxe issue.

A fine copy with wide margins.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.

Spine very slightly faded, a pleasing copy.

First edition, one of 125 numbered copies on B.F.K. de Rives, including an additional suite of the illustrations on pure rag paper.

A few minor spots on the covers, a pleasant copy overall.

Two light marginal dampstains on the slipcase, slightly rubbed at the corners.

Signed by Sacha Guitry at the beginning of the first volume.

First edition, one of 18 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.

Bound in navy blue half shagreen with corners, spine with four raised bands, gilt-effect paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.

A handsome copy in an elegant binding.

Inscribed and signed by Benoîte and Flora Groult to Maurice Gorrée (Benoîte signing on Flora’s behalf).

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies printed on Corvol l'orgueilleux, the only copies on deluxe paper along with a few hors commerce copies on the same paper.

A handsome copy.

Inscribed and signed by Armand Lanoux to Maurice Gorrée: "voici le commandant Watrin histoire d'hommes de bonne volonté," with an original drawing of a flower.

First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on pur fil, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A handsome copy, uncut.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only large paper copies along with a few hors commerce also printed on alfa.

A fine copy of this work dedicated to the memory of Simone Weil: "qui, si elle était morte assassinée, aurait consacré son dernier instant à prier pour ses bourreaux."

Partly first edition, revised and corrected, of which no deluxe copies were issued; one of the review copies.

Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned, as usual.
Rare and valuable signed presentation inscription from Robert Antelme to Geneviève Hirsch.

"Il n'y a pas d'espèces humaines, il y a une espèce humaine. C'est parce que nous sommes des hommes comme eux que les SS seront en définitive impuissants devant nous."
["There are no human races; there is only one human race. It is precisely because we are men like them that the SS will ultimately be powerless against us."]

This seminal work on the Nazi concentration...

First edition, one of 110 numbered copies on Marais vellum, ours unnumbered but duly justified at the foot of each spine "Marais" and watermarked, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A tear to the upper right corner of the rear cover of the last volume.
Handsome complete set in 6 volumes; the author deliberately halted the writing of this work, which deals as much with history as with military history and was originally intended to comprise ten volumes.

First edition, one of 25 copies printed on pure wove paper, the only copies on deluxe paper.

A rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of 135 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe copies.
A handsome copy.
Signed autograph note by José Cabanis on the half-title.

First edition printed in small numbers at the author's expense. This book exists only in proof state with blank wrappers and was never commercially sold. There were no deluxe copies printed.

The author distributed to his friends this set of printed proofs, with blank wrappers. The first cover, also blank, bears a printed stamp "proofs".

Foxing to covers, joints lightly rubbed.

Exceptional presentation copy: "to Monsieur Mauge this clandestine book most cordially Jacques Chardonne."

First edition of the French translation, one of 50 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe issue.
Attractive copy, with minor foxing to the spine.

First edition, one of 158 copies printed on pur fil paper, following only 45 on Hollande.

A fine copy.

First edition, with no copies issued on deluxe paper.

Two unobtrusive creases to the front cover, a well-preserved copy.

Illustrated content.

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.
 

First edition on ordinary paper.

Spine creased as often, otherwise a pleasant copy.

Illustrated.

Inscribed and signed by Jean Marais to Madame Romanini.

First edition, one of 15 copies on Japan paper, the deluxe issue.

Minor foxing to the edges of the covers, otherwise a desirable and uncommon copy with all edges uncut.

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.

First edition, one of 70 named and numbered copies on Madagascar paper.

Faint marginal crease marks to the lower right-hand corner of the front wrapper.

Illustrated with a frontispiece drawn and wood-engraved by Vassily Photiadès.
Signed presentation inscription from Joseph Kessel to Emmanuel Arago, for whom this copy was specially printed.

First edition, one of 56 hors commerce name copies on Saint-Amand, the only deluxe issue with 32 copies on hollande.
A fine copy.

Name copy printed for Kessel's friend Eddy Marnay signed and inscrbied by Joseph Kessel beneath the limitation statement and his name: "... ou le zombie son ami Jef."

Born Edmond Bacri, he was a French lyricist and singer who wrote approximately 4,000 songs, including Les Amants de Paris for Edith Piaf.

First edition, one of 24 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the deluxe issue.

Spine showing two small areas of sunning at the head and foot.

A rare and pleasing copy of this novel set against the backdrop of the French collapse during the Second World War.

First edition, one of 110 numbered copies on vergé pur fil d'arches, the most limited deluxe issue.

A blue ballpoint pen mark to the upper cover, spine and boards lightly and partially sunned, as is often the case.
Untrimmed copy with wide margins, illustrated throughout.
A typed letter of thanks from Pierre Clostermann, signed by him and addressed to Henri Torrès, bound to the left margin of the half-title page.

Our copy exceptionally contains two original watercolours (14 x 10.5 cm) depicting two R.A.F. bomber aircraft flown by Pierre Clostermann: the Vickers-Armstrong "Wellington" and the Bristol...

First edition, one of the press review copies.
Spine with a small waterstain at the foot.
Signed autograph inscription from Jorge Semprun: "A Mr Pierre Pain, a good bookseller like good bread, in memory of a signing day and of a shared memory far richer. With warm regards. JSemprun."

 

First edition of the French translation, one of the ordinary issue copies, as no deluxe paper copies were produced.

A very good copy.

Signed autograph inscription from Richard Wright to Pierre Descaves.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Ingres d'Arches paper, this being one of 10 hors commerce copies.

Text established, with notes and preface by Jean-Pierre Barril; unpublished texts, letters and documents selected by Léon Aichelbaum and Jean-Pierre Barril.

A very fine copy.

First edition, one of 175 numbered copies on pur fil wove paper, this being copy No. 1, specially printed for Madame General Frère, one of the deluxe issue.

Contemporary full red shagreen, spine with four raised bands decoratively tooled in blind with fillets and a coat of arms, light rubbing to the joints, gilt rolls to the spine ends, spotting to the boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt fillet border to the pastedowns, gilt rules to the edges, corners slightly bumped, top edge gilt, others untrimmed.
General Aubert Frère was notably a hero of the French Resistance, serving as organizer and commander of the Resistance within the Army; he was arrested by the Nazis in...

First edition, one of the press review copies.

A pleasing copy.
It is the work for which Patrick Modiano was awarded the "Prix Goncourt" in 1978.
Rare signed autograph inscription from Patrick Modiano to his friend, the actor and dubbing artist Roger Lumont.
 

First illustrated edition issued for the Club français des bibliophiles, one of the numbered copies.
Publisher’s full olive-green cloth bindings, smooth spines, gilt medallions in relief depicting General de Gaulle and Free France stamped at the centres of the upper covers, fine copies complete with their original glassine wrappers.
A complete set in three volumes, richly illustrated.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Charles de Gaulle in the first volume, manuscript signatures dated in the second and third volumes.

First edition, one of the press service copies.
Two small tears at the foot of the spine, two traces of adhesive tape having caused two small losses of paper to the versos of the boards.



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First edition, with no deluxe paper copies issued.

Spine and covers lightly and marginally sunned, as is often the case, with a small loss at the foot of the spine.

A scarce and pleasing copy, considering the poor quality of the paper.

First edition, of which no deluxe paper copies were issued.

A pleasing copy.

Signed autograph inscription from Georges Didi-Huberman to a couple of friends named Dominique and Danielle: "... cette trace d'année ombre. Je n'oublie pas vos paroles de coeur..."

New edition, issued a few months after the first edition.

Copy complete with its wraparound band : """Prix Goncourt 1970 à l'unanimité"

Autograph inscription signed by Michel Tournier to Monsieur Deslignières.

Original albumen print photograph of Charles de Gaulle, wearing the Cross of Lorraine and the insignia of the Free French Forces, likely taken shortly after the Liberation. Studio stamp of Harcourt Paris within the photograph, under mat and light wood frame, with some minor damage to the frame. 

Signed and inscribed by Charles de Gaulle below the portrait: "A M. Jules Guichet / Bien amicalement ! / 19.2.58 / C. de Gaulle". 

Definitive edition.

Spine slightly sunned and a little cocked, a few spots to the boards.

Signed autograph inscription from Vercors to François Triboudeau.

Third edition, one of 200 numbered copies on handmade wove paper, the only large-paper issue. 

Bound in red half-shagreen, spine with five raised bands framed by gilt dotted fillets and gilt double fillets, marbled paper boards, sprinkled top edge, pastedowns and endpapers in marbled paper, original front wrapper preserved, lower edge and fore-edge uncut.

Corners with light wear.