Lettres à une inconnue

First edition. The first edition was so rapidly exhausted that a new one had to be printed a few months later.
Contemporary half red shagreen binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 3 fleurons and blind fillets, gilt title and volume number. Some traces of rubbing. Handsome copy, almost free from foxing, with fresh paper.
These famous letters were addressed to Jenny (Jeanne Françoise) Dacquin from 1841 to 1870, the last of which was written two hours before the author's death. Hippolyte Taine's preface constitutes one of the first and best testimonials about the writer. While Mérimée complained of being unable to devote time to a true work, he unknowingly conceived his ultimate masterpiece with this collection of letters.
Library stamps on title page: Ecole Cardinal Pie, Montmorillon. Bibliothèque diocésaine, Poitiers.