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

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on white laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.
Rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of 56 numbered copies on pure thread paper, ours one of the 6 hors commerce lettered copies, the only deluxe copies.
Two small wormholes on the first endpaper.
Rare and handsome copy of this collection of short stories comprising: La femme du pilote, Le doigt de Barraquier, Valérie s'en va, L'épingle en fer à cheval, Le nègre s'est endormi, Le deuil de Fonsine, L'homme à barbe, Le bateau d'Emile and Le Baron de l'écluse ou la croisière du Potam.
This last story was masterfully brought to the screen in 1960 by Jean Delannoy with Jean Gabin and Micheline Presle in the leading roles.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription signed by Erik Orsenna to François Allais: "Bons retours aux sources ! E. Orsenna"

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy
Introduction by François Cheng, poems by Li Po, Tu Fu and Wang Wei, all three great poets of the Tang period.
Dated autograph inscription signed by François Cheng to Gilbert Lascault, pataphysician, art critic and specialist notably of the work of Jean Dubuffet, Pierre Alechinsky, Christian Boltanski.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Dated autograph inscription signed by David Foenkinos to a lady named Jacqueline wishing her a happy birthday accompanied by a drawing representing a birthday cake topped with candles.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Light foxing to rear endpaper.
Preface by Louis Aragon.
Autograph inscription signed by Roger Garaudy to journalist Gilbert Gilleminault.

First edition on ordinary paper and without statement of edition.
Bradel binding in orange half cloth, smooth spine very slightly darkened decorated with a central gilt floral motif, double gilt fillet at foot, navy blue shagreen title label, some rubbing to headcaps, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved very slightly trimmed, corners slightly bumped, contemporary binding.
Some light foxing, particularly on the cover boards.
We include a correspondence of 5 letters and telegrams, spanning the year 1955, between two admirers of Georges Darien's work who wish to preserve his memory and have his works republished: Georges Quesnel whose father served as model to the anarchist author for the character of Queslier in his Biribi and Georges Coulant.
Provenance: from the library of Maurice Donnay with his monogrammed bookplate pasted on a pastedown.
A rare copy without mention of Georges Darien's masterpiece masterfully brought to screen by Louis Malle in 1967 with, in the principal roles, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Geneviève Bugold, Charles Denner and Julien Guiomar.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Full-page autograph inscription dated and signed by Marie Desplechin to Franklin Rist, quoting Rainer Maria Rilke: "Tous les dragons de notre vie sont peut-être des princesses qui attendent de nous voir beaux et courageux. Toutes les choses terrifiantes ne sont peut-être que des choses sans secours qui attendent que nous les secourions..." ["All the dragons of our life are perhaps princesses who are waiting to see us beautiful and brave. All terrible things are perhaps only helpless things waiting for us to help them..."]

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy retaining its publisher's wraparound band which has some minor marginal tears of no consequence.
Full-page signed autograph inscription from Daniel Picouly to a couple: "Pour Françoise et Yves, pour une communauté de senteur de soleil et de ce sable qui rend les espaces incertains et la mémoire fausse..." ["For Françoise and Yves, for a shared sense of sunshine and that sand which makes spaces uncertain and memory false..."]

First edition for each of the volumes with print runs varying from 297 to 1,250 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies along with the reimposed ones.
Some spines lightly sunned.
A rare and handsome set.

First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Two restorations to the joints, one stain to right margin of first board, small lack to lower right margin of first endpaper, paper yellowed as is often the case.
Signed and inscribed by Françoise Sagan to Max-Pol Fouchet.

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on pure laid paper, deluxe issue.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 56 numbered copies on pure Lafuma-Navarre laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 105 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.
Spine lightly sunned.
Autograph tribute signed by Roger Grenier on the half-title page.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
Two light sunning to head and foot of spine.
Handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation established by Charles Baudelaire, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Modern brown half-shagreen binding established identically to a contemporary binding, same for the papers on the boards. Paper of immaculate whiteness. The last leaf of text has been backed in the lower margin (we can also distinguish a perforation removing 2 letters of the text), the last leaf of the table has been entirely backed and an internal margin has been added to bind it to the whole.
Handsome copy, well established.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Two slight areas of sunning at head and foot of spine, enclosed press clippings having caused shadowing on the first endpaper.

First edition, one of 130 numbered copies on laid paper, ours one of the 75 copies reserved for the Club de l'édition originale, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy despite two small areas of sunning at head and foot of spine.

First edition printed on ordinary paper.
Half bottle-green shagreen binding, browned spine with five raised bands outlined with black fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, modest contemporary binding.
Some light foxing to the endpapers.
Provenance: from the library of Marcel Augagneur with his curious bookplate pasted on a pastedown.
Signed and inscribed copy from Marcel Aymé to journalist Marcel Augagneur ("Gringoire" and "L'écho de Paris") who used the pseudonym Marc de Saligny for his writing.

First edition in French, one of 106 numbered copies on pure laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned as often, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition, one of 12 numbered copies on laid paper, deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Handsome copy.
Signed and inscribed by Jean de La Varende to Martin Chaulot.

First edition of the author's third work, of which no deluxe copies were printed.
A bibliophile's label pasted to the upper right margin of the front endpaper.
Autograph inscription signed by Roger Marcel Béalu to Monsieur Thorillon: "... ces pages maladroites mais sincères en souvenir d'un combat ancien..." ["... these clumsy but sincere pages in memory of an ancient struggle..."]

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe copies along with some hors commerce copies.
Some light foxing to endpapers and edges.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Maurice Chevalier to Georges Feutrel.

First edition.
Publisher's binding, smooth spine, with its illustrated dust jacket.
Numerous illustrations.
Outstanding signed and inscribed copy across the title page and facing endpaper, by Salvador Dali to Ms Elisa Hanioti, painter herself and close friend of Gen Paul.
Dali's intial D takes the form of his famous "snail drawing".
Former British officer Captain Moore, alleged secret agent during WW2 and Dali's secretary from 1956 to 1974, added the words "Paris, 1969" and signed at the bottom of the title page.

First edition, one of 110 numbered copies on pur fil du Marais paper, ours being one of 60 reserved for the Club de l'édition originale, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Autograph signature of Françoise Mallet-Joris on the half-title page.

First edition, one of 160 numbered copies on vellum, the only deluxe copies.
Very fine copy.

First edition.
Handsome copy.
Fine autograph inscription signed by Mikel Dufrenne to art critic Gilbert Lascault: "Ceci n'est pas un algorithme lacanien. Pour Gilbert dont les propos paisiblement subversifs ont stimulé ce livre, avec la vieille amitié de Mikel Dufrenne." ["This is not a Lacanian algorithm. For Gilbert whose peacefully subversive words stimulated this book, with the old friendship of Mikel Dufrenne."]

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies with 45 Marais.
Spine with skilful restorations, light foxing to first endpaper.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Fine copy retaining publisher's wraparound band.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Patrick Modiano to the journalist and literary critic

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Dated autograph inscription signed by Joseph Joffo to a woman named Sarah on the half-title page: "... l'histoire d'un curé pas tout à fait comme les autres..." ["...the story of a priest not quite like the others..."] accompanied, opposite, by a drawing representing a flower.

First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Light dampstain to spine, small stain to upper left corner of front cover, two other stains to left margin of final endpaper
Autograph inscription signed by Françoise Sagan to Jean Pierre Foissy.

First edition composed of 33 short stories (travels, historical anecdotes, descriptions...) by Amable Tastu, Champagnac, Léon Guérin, J. de Mirval, Eugénie Foa... illustrated with 12 lithographs.
Publisher's binding in full black shagreen signed Boutigny, with his label at the top of the first endpaper. Smooth spine decorated with rococo tools. Boards hot-stamped with a large central decorative ornament and a black frieze on gilt ground forming a border. Edges gilt. Traces of rubbing, particularly at corners. Scattered foxing.
Very handsome copy in its publisher's binding by Boutigny.

Pléiade library edition printed on India paper.
Minor light stains of no consequence on fore edge, press clippings included.
Rich iconography.
Publisher's full brown grained sheep binding, orange top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Handsome copy complete with its glassine, dust jacket and slipcase.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies, an advance copy.
A small tear on the spine, a transverse crease on the second cover, slightly soiled.
Dated and signed autograph inscription from Dominique de Roux to Lucie Celier.

First hors commerce edition printed for the author's friends in 60 copies numbered on hollande and justified in pencil by George Barbier.
Work illustrated with wood engravings by Fernand Siméon.
Handsome and rare copy despite clear foxing at the foot of the leaves.

First edition and first printing of the 6 color compositions by Chas Laborde, one of 255 numbered copies on laid paper with deckled edges.
Spine lightly sunned, rear board marginally shadowed and stained on its right margin.
Precious autograph inscription signed by Guy Laborde to his uncle, the book's illustrator: "A mon oncle Chas. dont l'atelier de la rue des Saules et celui de la rue Caulaincourt furent mes phares tutélaires." ["To my uncle Chas. whose studios on rue des Saules and rue Caulaincourt were my guiding lights."]

First edition printed in 130 numbered and nominative copies on handmade Rives laid paper.
The work illustrated with a frontispiece, 15 plates and 6 vignettes by Georges Leroux engraved by Raoul Serres.
Slipcase in poor condition with unskillful restorations.
Handsome copy.

First edition.
Work illustrated with political and pacifist drawings by Tomi Ungerer.
Autograph inscription signed by Tomi Ungerer to a young lady named Martine.

First trade edition.
Some light foxing to the edges.
Complete with the original wraparound band.
Inscribed and signed by Jean d'Ormesson to the Belgian literary critic Pol Vandromme.




 

First edition of the French translation by André Bay, one of 500 numbered copies on white vellum, the only printing along with 15 copies on Japan paper.
Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 300 numbered copies on laid paper, the only issue after 15 Japan copies.
Handsome copy.

First English edition established by Barbara Bray.
Publisher's full grey board binding, complete with illustrated dust jacket.
Handsome copy.
Signed autograph inscription by Barbara Bray.

First English edition.
Publisher's full black cloth binding.
Handsome copy complete with its dust jacket with slight marginal lacks to the boards.

The two novellas in this collection were first published in the New Yorker in 1955 and 1959.

First edition illustrated with colored compositions and black drawings by Jean Bruller, one of 15 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Discreet restorations to the spine and foot of boards.
Our copy, as stipulated in the justification page, is complete with the original drawing signed by Jean Bruller in pencil.

First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Spine and covers marginally sunned, a stain to margin of first leaves, a small drawing in purple ink to left margin of front cover.
Signed and inscribed by Julien Green to Marcel Jouhandeau.

First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Spine and covers marginally sunned.
Signed and inscribed by Julien Green to Marcel Jouhandeau.

First edition in French, one of 15 numbered copies on vellum, the only deluxe copies.
Preface by Jean Starobinski.
Rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe issue.
Small stains to head of front cover, spine very lightly sunned.
Handsome full-margined copy.

First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Spine and covers marginally sunned, small foxing spots on covers.
Signed autograph inscription from Julien Green to Marcel Jouhandeau.

First edition printed in a numbered edition of 850 copies on Auvergne paper.
Illustrated with an etching as frontispiece and 4 original compositions in double state by Yves Brayer.
Some small spots, three light stains on the back cover.

First collected edition printed in a numbered edition of 750 copies on Auvergne paper.
Endpapers slightly shaded, handsome copy.

First edition, one of 300 numbered copies on handmade vellum, the only deluxe copies.
Work illustrated with a vignette by Henri Matisse on the cover.
Half navy blue morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands lightly faded, gilt date at foot, pebbled paper boards, combed paper endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed Devauchelle.
Handsomely bound copy.

First edition in French, one of 105 numbered copies on vellum, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards marginally sunned, a small lack to head of spine.
Rare copy of this work evoking the Spanish War.

First edition in French, one of 110 numbered copies on laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and covers lightly and marginally sunned, light and small adhesive paper residue on endpapers.
Rare copy of this work dealing with the Spanish War.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Handsome copy despite the spine being very lightly sunned.
Signed autograph inscription from the author to Raymonde Jannet: "... avec beaucoup de sympathie..." ["...with much sympathy..."]

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies reserved for subscribers, the only deluxe copies after 10 on pure thread paper.
Handsome copy.
Manuscript signature by Jacques Hamelin on the half-title page.

Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée [Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter] - La force de l'âge [The Prime of Life] - La force des choses [Force of Circumstance] - Tout compte fait [All Said and Done]
Gallimard | Paris 1958-1972 | 14,5x21,5cm | 4 bound volumes.

First edition, one of 25, 30, 35 and 40 numbered copies on vergé de hollande, most limited deluxe issue for each of the 4 volumes.
A very rare and handsome set of this autobiographical and feminist tetralogy.

Each volume is presented in a custom box signed by Julie Nadot reproducing the cover plates and the spine of the work.

First edition, one of 42 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Very light worming to spine, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Spine slightly sunned, small stains on first cover.
Fine autograph inscription dated and signed by Jean Paulhan: "Les rapports dont un style se composent font autant de vérités, non moins précieuses pour l'esprit humain que celles qui peuvent être au fond du sujet. Buffon. A Jean D. , son Jean P. 10.x.1951" ["The relationships that compose a style constitute as many truths, no less precious to the human mind than those that may be at the heart of the subject. Buffon. To Jean D., his Jean P. 10.x.1951"]
Our copy bears this annotation at the head of the endpaper: copy from Marcel Jouhandeau's library given to Jacques Louvière.

First edition, one of 330 numbered copies on Holland paper, ours one of 30 hors commerce copies, the deluxe issue after 60 reimposed copies.
Minor traces of wear to one joint.
Half navy blue morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands slightly faded, gilt date at foot, pebbled paper boards, combed paper endpapers and pastedowns, blue covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed by Devauchelle.
A handsomely bound copy.

First edition.
Publisher's full red cloth binding, smooth spine, complete with its illustrated dust jacket which has some minor stains and marginal tears of no consequence.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Rosamond Lehmann to a friend named Louise.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Spine and covers lightly sunned.
Signed and inscribed by Julien Green to Marcel Jouhandeau.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Fine copy.
Signed and inscribed by Maurice Béjart to his publisher Armand Flammarion.

First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on pur fil paper, ours one of the few unnumbered hors commerce copies, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy despite the covers slightly darkened at head.

First edition, one of 300 numbered copies on white vellum, the only deluxe copies along with some hors commerce copies also on white vellum.
A handsome copy.
Autograph inscription signed by José André Lacour to Gaëtan Picon.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on snow vellum, ours one of 15 hors commerce copies, the only deluxe copies.
Some minor worming without consequence, two small sunning marks at head and foot of spine.
A handsome and rare copy.

Album of lithographed plates in third state, first cover printed in 3 tones, black, bistre with gradients and white highlights, followed by 24 lithographs in black on 12 double-sided pages.

Gray half calf binding, smooth spine, some foxing, original soft cover preserved, binding signed by Charles Septier.

Created in 1851, this youthful work influenced by Rodolphe Töppfer's style, is now considered an incunabulum of comic strips.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on pur fil du Marais paper, the only deluxe copies along with some hors commerce copies also on pur fil du Marais paper.
Handsome copy.

First edition, first printing of this rare album, with its precious publisher's lithographed green cover by Belin and twenty original captioned lithographed plates by Gustave Doré.
One of Doré's earliest efforts, his debut album of illustrations he published at age twenty-two: "In this album, Doré begins to display an unprecedented mastery of comedy and exuberance. We are constantly drawn in by the abundant playfulness of his verve, and, as Béraldi says, 'by a very accurate, very witty and yet measured observation'"(Henri Leblanc, Catalogue de l'oeuvre complète de Gustave Doré).
Later olive-green 3/4 Russian morocco binding, faded spine, light scuffing to the corners, marbled pastedowns and endleaves, original covers preserved, binding signed Ch. Septier.

First edition printed in one of 53 hors commerce copies.
Fine and very rare copy of this unauthorized first edition, consisting of facsimile reproductions of 3 manuscript letters by Louis-Ferdinand Céline addressed to a young Danish woman, Bente Joyhansen, during his first weeks of detention in Denmark.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Arches vellum, the only deluxe copies after 45 on Holland paper.
Half petroleum blue shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands underlined with blind fillets, spine lightly faded, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved.

First edition, one of 87 numbered copies on Dutch paper, the only deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

Edition with some parts in first edition, one of 50 numbered copies on laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

First edition, one of 61 numbered copies on pure rag vellum, the only deluxe copies.
A very fine copy.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on laid Arches paper, the only deluxe copies.
Bookplate pasted to half-title page.
One crease to head of spine, three tiny spots to rear board, otherwise a very fine copy.

First edition, one of 62 numbered copies on Madagascar paper, deluxe issue for trade.
A handsome copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Arches laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
A handsome copy.

Collected edition with some parts in first edition, one of 60 numbered copies on laid rag paper with deckled edges, the only deluxe copies.
Very handsome copy.

First edition, one of 26 numbered copies on imperial Japan paper, ours unnumbered but properly justified on Japan paper, deluxe copy.
Very handsome copy.

First edition, one of 99 numbered copies on laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Fine and rare copy of this speech given by André Breton at the funeral of Francis Picabia who died on November 30, 1953.
Manuscript signature by P.A.B. on the justification page.

First edition of the French translation, one of 106 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards slightly and marginally sunned as usual.
Handsome copy of this work adapted for cinema by Jack Garfein in 1957.

First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Some foxing to covers, paper yellowed.
Precious signed autograph inscription by Jean Giono: "A Marcel Jouhandeau, avec ma vive amitié Jean Giono. Manosque mai 49." ["To Marcel Jouhandeau, with my warm friendship Jean Giono. Manosque May 49."]

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Two tiny tears of no consequence at head and foot of spine.
A handsome copy.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
A handsome copy.

First edition, one of 647 copies on pur fil, the only deluxe issues along with 109 copies printed on large paper.
Bookplate affixed to the verso of the front cover.
A pleasant copy.

First edition, one of 43 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copies.
Very fine copy.

First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on vellum for each volume, deluxe copies.
Spines very lightly sunned without detriment, handsome set.