Signed books and autograph signatures from great writers, poets, philosophers from 16th to 21st century

First edition of this selection established by Paul Léautaud and Adolphe van Bever, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Worming to boards, two lacks to head and foot of spine.
Precious and handsome signed autograph inscription from Paul Léautaud to Henri Béraud: "... ces fleurs de lyrisme..." ["...these flowers of lyricism..."]
Provenance: from the library of Henri Béraud from Ré.

First edition printed in a small number of copies on laid paper.
Precious and rare signed autograph inscription from Paul Lintier: " A mon vieux Béraud avec toute mon amitié..." ["To my old friend Béraud with all my friendship..."]
Preface by Henri Béraud.
Work illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Adrien Bas by Francisque Laurent.
Three lacks to spine, small marginal lacks to boards which also show a light dampstain, handsome interior condition.
Provenance: from Henri Béraud's library on the Île de Ré.

First edition, one of 90 copies on Holland paper, ours being one of a few lettered hors commerce copies.
Bradel binding in half brown box, smooth spine, decorated paper boards, brown endpapers and pastedowns, original covers preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed by Goy & Vilaine.
Precious autograph inscription signed by Paul Valéry: « A Victoria Ocampo, - a sus piès de Vd - ce petit rien qu'elle a bien voulu désirer. »
A superb dedication that marks the beginning of the enduring friendship between the two writers, beyond all differences.
At Valéry's death in 1945, Victoria Ocampo would recall their first meeting in December 1928 during a writers’ dinner to which the young Argentine, newly arrived in Paris, had been invited.
A founding moment of their friendship and of the mutual admiration testified by their moving correspondence, it is against the measure of this first impression that Victoria Ocampo described her relationship with the poet and « les sentiments contradictoires que suscitèrent en [elle] la rencontre de l'œuvre et de l'homme qui la conçut : émerveillement, étranglement, admiration, accablement, bonheur. Effets, sur une Sud-Américaine, amoureuse du génie français, d'une des plus grandes intelligences européennes, lorsqu'elle s'en approcha - un peu tremblante - comme d'un feu qui vous attire et vous tient à distance du même coup. »
There is no doubt that Valéry’s impression was no less intense, since he addressed to her, soon after, this humble dedication reminiscent of Victor Hugo’s treasured inscriptions to Juliette Drouet « à vos pieds, Ma Dame ».
As the fallen poet’s epistolary confidante during the harsh years of war, Ocampo would pay him, at his death, a fervent homage « par-delà l'intelligence et la bêtise, par-delà la vie. Avec mon respect, mon culte, ma tendre affection si nouée à l'humain. Avec tout ce qui en moi, tant que je vivrai, ne cessera de le sentir vivant, ne cessera d'être le lieu périssable où son immortalité commence. »
A few small spots of foxing.
A perfectly preserved copy.