First editions, fine papers and deluxe printings of French and foreign literature, 16th to 21st century

First edition, one of copies on alfa paper, the only printing with 6 on China paper.
A very good copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on pur fil Johannot paper, the tirage de tête.
Author's signature to justification page.
A very good, well-margined copy.

First edition. Rare. Bibliographie des recueils de poésies T. III, pp. 178 to 180.
Contemporary full speckled calf binding. Raised bands spine decorated. Various rubbing.
Bouts-rimés are imposed and whimsical rhymes, it was a highly prized game to compose them in the 17th century. The theme, here the praise of the king, and the rhymes, were chosen, and poets had to write pieces in verse. It was a real fever as it appeared that not only in society, but in private, everyone amused themselves with this exercise. This collection is one of the best examples, gathered by Mignon, the sonnets have for rhymes Pan, Grenuche, Satan, Pluche, then Fan, Ruche, Lan, Autruche...
Many sonnets among the 193 are signed, 3 anonymous ones are by Benserade.

First edition. Tchemerzine VI, 331.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Worn headcaps. Overall rubbing. Large brown stain on upper cover. 3 corners slightly bumped. Pp. 158 to 168 foxed.
All posthumous works by La Bruyère (died in 1696) were completed by his editor Louis Ellies Dupin, who wrote two dialogues for this work. La Bruyère takes part in this book in the theological quarrel between Bossuet and Fénelon, defender of quietism. The author criticizes quietism in an ironic tone modeled on Pascal's Provincial Letters.

First French edition. The first edition of the Italian text dates from 1607. Illustrated with two allegorical frontispieces signed Gr. Huret. Uncommon edition. One copy at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France from 1628, and another at the British Library. Nothing in French and English union catalogues.
Contemporary full vellum binding with overlapping edges. Smooth spine with manuscript title partly illegible. Traces of ties. Scattered pale foxing.
Antonio Maria Spelta (1559-1632) was a writer, scholar and historian from Padua, and it was while recalling Erasmus's Praise of Folly that he wrote this collection composed partly of reflections on madness, and partly on various subjects ranging from astrologers to hunters, including historical anecdotes. The first part tends more towards an eulogy of folly, despite the ever-present satire, while the second part presents a tableau of men and professions prey to madness, whimsy and vanity. Spelta's alert and biting pen perfectly captures the portrait of folly in its every guise. A singular work.

First edition, one of 500 numbered copies on vellum, the only issue.
A lack and tear at foot of spine, spine and boards slightly and marginally sunned.

First edition on ordinary paper.
A very good copy retaining its advertising band.

First edition.
A portrait of the author as frontispiece.
Foxing, rare.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Ingres, the only large paper copies.
Illustrations by the author.
A good and rare copy with good margins.

First edition.
Worming to the front board, a repaired angular tear to the half-title page, marginal lack to the rear board, occasional foxing.

First edition.
Work illustrated with woodcuts and lithographs by C. Nanteuil, A. Devéria, T. Johannot...
Light shadow on the first endpaper.

First edition, one of 100 copies numbered and justified by the author on Holland paper, the only issue along with a few Japan copies.
Foxing to covers, handsome interior condition.
Rare.

First edition.
Covers illustrated by Leyser.
Spine slightly cracked to head, small stains, not serious, to the lower cover, occasional small foxing.
Rare.

The first edition published in a small number of copies by Pierre Mac Orlan under a pseudonym, with no mention of deluxe copies.
Illustrated with works by Louis Malteste.
A tiny stain at foot of first cover, two very slight angular lacks to the last two pages, otherwise a handsome copy of this flagellation instruction manual.

First edition, one of 480 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies with 20 on Chine.
With a photographic portrait of the author as frontispiece.
A handsome full-margined copy.

First edition.
Half black sheep binding, smooth spine with a small lack at head and traces of rubbing decorated with gilt motifs, date at foot, joints and boards rubbed.
Our copy lacks the author's portrait.
Some light foxing.
Rare but in this condition.

First edition, one of 109 numbered copies on Lafuma Navarre paper and reimposed in Tellière quarto format, deluxe issue.
Handsome copy.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.

Plain paper cover.

Rare.

First edition.

Plain paper cover.

Rare.

First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies with 30 on Lana.
Handsome copy.

First edition illustrated with 4 frontispieces drawn by Huot and engraved by Texier.
Contemporary half brown calf bindings. Blue paper boards. Smooth spine decorated with 4 concentric tools and roulettes. Black title and volume labels. Handsome copy. Foxing.
Charles-Antoine-Guillaume Pigault de l'Épinoy, known as Pigault-Lebrun, was a French novelist and playwright born in 1753 in Calais and died in 1835 in La Celle-Saint-Cloud. Pigault Lebrun was at the very source of the French popular novel that would flourish in the 19th century with Dumas and Sue. His life was as eventful as his work. He made the fortune of publisher Barba, who wrote his biography. New editions of this excellent author are still awaited.

First edition, one of 18 numbered copies on pur fil, the only large paper copies.
Tiny stains to the spine and the first endpaper, tiny stains to final endpaper, otherwise a good copy.
Rare.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Half sheep binding with dark green spine, smooth spine decorated with triple gilt fillets, contemporary binding.

First edition, one of rare copies on Hollande paper of which there is no mention in the justification of the print run.
Somes rare a little light foxing, otherwise a good, well-margined copy.

First edition, one of 350 numbered copies on laid paper, the only issue with 10 on China paper.
A small tear at head of spine, pen ex-libris at head of first cover, a tiny corner loss to first cover, fine interior condition.
Rare.

First edition, printed in a small number of copies.
With a frontispiece portrait of J.M. Audin by A. Salmon. Slight spotting on the upper cover, small scattered foxing.
Rare.

First edition, one of 250 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies.
Title page and final endpaper shaded, otherwise handsome copy with full margins.

First edition.
A pale angular dampstain to head of spine and upper cover, otherwise a rare and good copy.

First edition of the author's first work, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Minor worming affecting mainly the endpapers.

Rare first edition of some parts of the author's first commercially published work, no deluxe copies are mentioned.
Second cover marginally shaded, a small lack at the foot of the spine.

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe copy.
A lack at the foot of the second cover, otherwise a very handsome copy.
Our copy includes a page from the manuscript of the work and the author's autograph signature opposite.

First edition, one of 400 numbered copies on vélin mécanique paper, the only printing, along with 20 on grand vélin.
With a frontispiece portrait etching of the author engraved by E. Laforgue. This copy is in new covers intended for resale by L. Vanier. One small insignificant stain to upper cover , a little very light foxing.
Rare.

First edition of the French translation, one of 28 numbered copies on pur fil, the only large paper copies.
A very good copy.

First Edition, one of 120 numbered copies on Chapel, head print after 30 "pur-fil" paper.
Very nice copy.

First Gallimard edition, one of 330 numbered copies on Holland paper, ours being one of 30 hors commerce copies.
Two tears at head and foot of spine, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition.
With a frontispiece vignette.
Two small lacks to head and foot of spine, scattered foxing.
Rare.

First edition. First completed printing on September 1, 1583. The first four books appeared in 1565. Printer's devices on title page and verso of final leaf.
Contemporary full calf binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 5 fleurons. Boards decorated with central medallion and gilt frame. Head and one corner restored by an amateur. The first endpaper, before the title page, is missing.
A treatise on poetics combining rhetoric, study of homonymy, verse structure, composition rules, studies of Latin poets... A dictionary of rhymes and poetic vocabulary.
Georgius Fabricius (1516-1571), born in Chemnitz, was an influential scholar and humanist of his time, an educator, but above all a renowned philologist. He is credited with editions of ancient poets and studies on Antiquity (which he studied in Italy), particularly on Rome, which are highly sought after.

Second edition for the two first volumes and first edition for the third one.
Contemporary half calf Romantic bindings, spines slightly faded, joints rubbed, foxing.

Rare first edition.
Half sheep binding in hazelnut, smooth spine browned with small traces of rubbing decorated with gilt fillets, small lacks to headcaps, one joint fragile, spine of first volume partially detached, contemporary binding.
Some foxing.
The author was one of H. de Balzac's secretaries and was a regular at the Arsenal salon.

New edition of the French translation.
Half sheep binding in dark green, spine in four compartments decorated with gilt fillets and panels showing minor rubbing at head and foot.
Copy complete with the English, Italian, Spanish and German translations of this text by Coluthus.
Some foxing.

First edition, one of 180 numbered copies on Arches laid paper, the only issue with 15 Japan paper copies.
Work illustrated with an etching by A. Dunoyer de Segonzac.
Some very rare and minor worming, handsome copy.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First editions.
Bradel binding. One leaf of announce missing at the beginning of the second volume which retains, on the other hand, the folding lithograph by Charlet.
A little light spotting mostly on the last pages of the second volume, otherwise nices copies.

First edition printed in a small number of copies.
One very pale marginal spot, a good and rare copy.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition, one of 215 numbered copies on Hollande paper, the only large paper copies with 2 on China paper, 5 on Japan paper and 8 on vergé anglais paper.
A good and rare copy.

First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on Montgolfier, this copy not justified, the only large paper copies with 40 on Hollande paper.
A tiny lack to foot of spine.

First edition, one of 210 numbered copies on alfa, after only 15 Hollande and 60 pur fil.
A tiny angular lack to upper cover, some small marginal foxing, not serious.

Rare first edition.
Half navy shagreen binding, smooth spine decorated with double gilt fillets, one joint slightly rubbed, one lower corner very slightly bumped, contemporary binding.
Blind-stamped bookplate, some minor foxing of no consequence.

First edition, one of the rare copies on Hollande, the only large paper copies with 2 Chine.
Spine slightly faded, a little light spotting, not serious. Rare.

First edition printed in 201 copies, ours one of 140 numbered copies justified by the publisher on white laid paper.
Spine slightly warped and rubbed with a small lack at foot, handsome interior condition.
Rare.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on Hollande, the only large paper copies.
A fine copy, ex libris pasted onto one the first endpaper.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on Hollande, the only large paper copies.
A fine copy, ex libris pasted onto one the first endpaper.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Handsome autograph inscription from the author to Colette.
Spine faded as usual, two small glued tears to head and to foot of a joint, a leave badly cut by the dedicatee with small marginal lacks.

First edition of this anthology of Russian poetry presented by P. Collin, of which no deluxe copies were issued.
Bradel binding in full saffron cloth, smooth spine decorated with a gilt floral motif, date at foot, saffron shagreen title-label with a small trace of rubbing, contemporary binding.
Precious autograph inscription signed by Paul Collin: "Au grand poète Leconte de Lisle respectueux hommage d'un admirateur." (To the great poet Leconte de Lisle respectful homage from an admirer.)

First edition.
Inscription from Maurice Escoffier, the dedicatee's name has been skillfully erased.
Small tears and lacks at foot and head of spine, covers very slightly and marginally faded without consequence, handsome interior condition.

First edition not put into commerce and printed in a small number of copies on laid paper.
Autograph inscription by the author. Work illustrated with drawings by Töpffer and Raffet.
Some rare small wormholes without consequence, handsome copy.

First edition.
Half bottle-green sheep binding, faded spine with four raised bands decorated with gilt floral motifs, a light scratch with a small paper loss to the front board, contemporary binding.
Scattered foxing.

First edition.
Paper boards, dark brown sheep title label with a filled in angular lack, marbled edges.
Almost without foxing.
A rare copy.

First edition illustrated with two frontispieces by Horace Vernet and 5 original unsigned ink and wash drawings. A folding map heightened with colors at the end of the work showing the locations where the poem takes place.
Contemporary full calf bindings. Smooth spines decorated with two Grotesque compartments, multiple fillets and rolls. Green morocco title and volume labels. Boards with blind cross-hatching, wide border roll with foliage, Greek key and vase motifs. Rubbing to joints and boards, edges. All edges gilt.
Handsome copy, despite some flaws. Charles-Victor Prévost d'Arlincourt (1788-1856) was, before falling into oblivion, one of the figures of Romanticism, and his popularity rivaled that of Hugo. But, acclaimed by a female audience, he was harpooned by critics who judged his productions implausible. He published his poem on Charlemagne with great publicity fanfare.

First edition printed in a small number of copies and not to be sold.
Handsome autograph inscription from Narzale Jobert.
A rare and good copy.

First edition.
Two tiny lacks at head of spine, a very small insignificant stain on first cover, a minute corner lack at foot of second cover.
Rare copy in original wrappers retaining the publisher's catalogue at rear.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Handsome autograph inscription from Camille Audigier to Henri de Régnier, then academician.
Spine sunned.

First edition, one of the service de presse (advance) copies.
Autograph inscription signed by Jean Giraudoux to François Porché and his wife.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally faded.

First edition printed in a small number of copies for which there was no mention of large paper copies.
A rare and good copy.

First edition.
Autograph inscription by Xavier de Montépin.
Spine sunned with two small tears at foot, otherwise handsome copy.

New edition published one year after the first in the collection 'La France Dramatique au dix-neuvième siècle'.
The main character of this play, adapted from Eugène Sue's eponymous novel, may have inspired Isidore Ducasse in choosing his pseudonym.
Bradel binding in half cherry percaline, spine decorated with a gilt typographic fleuron, blue shagreen title label, original wrappers preserved.

First edition of this booklet printed in a very small number.
Autograph inscription signed by the author to the poet Alexandre de Saint-Léger.
A very small insignificant stain on the first cover, otherwise a rare and handsome copy.

First edition printed in a very small number of this offprint.
Autograph inscription signed by a member of Jules Derocquigny's family to the poet Alexandre de Saint-Léger.
A small stain below the inscription, otherwise a rare and handsome copy.

First edition of this poem-tribute to Helvetia for its hospitality towards the French army of 1870-1871.
Inscription from Jules Blancard to General Baron Friant.
Spine and boards marginally faded, minor corner lacks of no significance to the boards, handsome interior condition without foxing.
Rare.

First edition, one of 500 numbered copies on alfa paper, ours specially printed for Léon Daudet.
Spine sunned, a small light stain on the back cover, a tiny hole at the head of the first endpaper, light foxing.
Complete with its publisher's slip also printed on alfa paper.
Autograph inscription signed by Henri Béraud below the justification page: "Avec l'admiration et l'amitié d'Henri Béraud."

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Japon, tirage de tête.
Slight foxing to the spine, otherwise a fine copy with good margins.

First edition.
Rare autograph inscription by Charles Morgan.
Handsome copy complete with its dust jacket which has a small stain on the back panel.

First edition in French, one of 50 numbered copies on Johannot paper, the deluxe issue.
A rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies justified by the publisher on yellow parchment, ours bearing No. 1, deluxe copy.
Rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of 8 numbered copies and justified by the publisher on Chiffon-Lutétia, the tirage de tête.
A rare and good copy.

First edition, one of 150 numbered copies on Japan paper, the only deluxe copies.
Half red morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands, date at foot, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt on deckled edges, J. Laurent's bookplate pasted to verso of front board, binding signed by Devauchelle.
Our copy includes the original Steinlen drypoint in two states.
The work is enhanced with a recto-verso autograph note from the author addressed to one of his friends.
Fine copy perfectly established.

First edition on ordinary paper, no mention of deluxe copies.
Half caramel sheep binding, spine with four raised bands showing minor rubbing traces decorated with gilt floral motifs, red sheep title label, fine illustrated covers preserved, contemporary binding.
Light foxing of no consequence on endpapers, otherwise handsome interior condition, press clippings included.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Some light foxing of no consequence.
Modern pastiche binding in half mouse-colored sheep, spine with five raised bands decorated with cold-stamped fleurons, original wrappers preserved (corner restorations to front cover).
Autograph inscription signed by Léon Cladel.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Contemporary half pink sheep binding, smooth spine faded, decorated with gilt typographical motifs with three small holes at head.
Some foxing, a dampstain at the end of the second volume fading through the pages.
Rare.

First edition printed in a small number of copies on alfa paper, the only printing with 6 on China paper.
Autograph inscription from C. Sernet to Jean Fraysse on upper cover.
A rare and good copy.