Germinal

Charpentier, Paris 1885, 11,5x18,5cm, bound.

First edition. One of 150 numbered copies on hollande, the only deluxe issue after 10 on papier japon.
Half red morocco binding, gilt date on spine, marbled paper covers and endpapers. Original wrappers including the spine preserved. Set in an early 20th century binding signed by Alfred Farez.

Our copy includes a two-page autograph letter dated and signed by Émile Zola to Octave Mirbeau. The author thanks him for the benevolent article he recently wrote about Germinal, while defending himself from being considered as the leader of Naturalism: “But why do you say that I lead naturalism? I don't lead anything at all... I work in my own corner, letting the world go where it pleases...”

A beautiful and rare copy, perfectly established with a superb autograph letter signed about Germinal and Émile Zola's position within the “École Naturaliste”.