La vie littéraire. Volumes I II, III & IV

New edition for the first volume, first edition on ordinary paper for the three other ones.
Bound in dark blue half morocco, five raised bands on spine, marbled paper boards, marbled pastedowns and endpapers, original wrappers preserved, gilt top edges, contemporary bindings with blind-stamped signature of bookbinder Petitot.
A fine set despite minor scuffing to the spines.
Signed and inscribed by Anatole France to Madame Félix Roussel on each of the four volumes. The author penned an amusing first dedication on the opening page of text of the first volume:

"A Madame Félix Roussel, ces quatre volumes d'un cours de littérature qui aura du moins cet effet de ne lui apprendre absolument rien

Affectueusement Anatole France

 

[To Madame Félix Roussel, these four volumes of a litterature lesson which will at least have the effect of teaching her absolutely nothing]"

Madame Félix Roussel, née Pauline Gérard, was a devoted reader of Anatole France's works. The author gifted her a great number of his books, and even the original manuscript of his lectures on Rabelais.