Les destinées, poèmes philosophiques

The posthumous first edition, published in 1864 after Vigny's death by his literary executor Louis Ratisbonne. A frontispiece portrait sometimes missing, mounted on China paper on heavy vellum; this portrait was engraved after a photograph by Adam Salomon. Printed on vellum.
Contemporary half red shagreen binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with compartments with triple fillets. Signs of rubbing. 2 corners slightly bumped. Occasional foxing.
Les destinées contains 11 pieces, 7 of which were published from January 15, 1843 to January 15, 1864 in the Revue des deux mondes. The last piece in the collection, L'esprit pur, was written 14 days before the author's death. This is one of the most important poetic collections of the 19th century for the formal organization of its poems. While the rhetoric and narration are still Romantic, Vigny's bold innovations herald Symbolism.