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

Rare and genuine posthumous first edition of the first six books of the Confessions, the remaining volumes not appearing until 1789. Several other editions were issued shortly thereafter, but the evidence provided by the commentary published in the June 1782 issue of the Journal Helvétique clearly establishes that this separately printed edition, known as the "large type" issue, is indeed the very first (F. Michaux, "L'Édition originale de la première partie des 'Confessions' de J.-J. Rousseau" in Revue d'Histoire littéraire de la France, 35th Year, No. 2 (1928), pp. 250-253).
Contemporary half calf bindings, flat spines tooled with gilt fillets and decorated...

First posthumous edition of Jacques le Fataliste et son maître, published in Paris by François Buisson in 1796 on Holland paper. The text is preceded by À la mémoire de Diderot by Jacques-Henri Meister, a close friend of Diderot and Grimm’s successor as director of the Correspondance littéraire.

Contemporary full mottled brown calf, spine with raised bands and gilt decoration, red morocco lettering-piece and black morocco numbering-piece. Small...

First edition printed in 310 copies, ours being one of 285 numbered copies on Auvergne paper.

Our copy is enhanced with an original drawing signed by Léon Courbouleix. 
Bradel binding in full vellum, smooth spine decorated with an original drawing and pen title, covers decorated with drawings by Gaston Hoffmann, marbled paper slipcase.
Very handsome work entirely engraved with etching, printed on hand press by Léon Courbouleix and bound in a very beautiful painted binding by Gaston Hoffmann.

First edition for which was no grand papier (deluxe) copy.
Pleasant copy of this work which received the Prix Fémina in 1984.
Rare and precious handwritten inscripttion, dated and signed by Tchicaya U Tam'si to Régine Deforges: “Pour Régine Deforges qui a écrit quelques mots que j'aurais voulu mettre en guise de dédicace mais ma mémoire est moins fidèle que moi. à elle toute la poésie de ce 'roman'.” (“For Régine Deforges who wrote some words that I would have liked to include as a dedication but my memory is less faithful than me. To her, all the poetry of this 'novel'.”)

Provenance: from the library of Régine...

First edition, no deluxe paper copies were issued.
 With a precious signed autograph inscription by Jacques Higelin to Régine Deforges : “To my lady Régine Deforges, the tender greeting of my twenty springs, which I lay today at the doorstep of your heart's secret garden.”
Provenance: the library of Régine Deforges.
 A handsome copy.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Minor worming to spine without significance.
Rare and handsome copy.

First edition illustrated with wood engravings in the text by Gavarni, Daumier, D'Aubigny...
Bradel binding in full beige percaline, smooth spine with a black paper label, front cover decorated with an oil painting after the frontispiece, signed lower right "A. Dangleterre d'après document d'époque". Headcaps and joints skillfully restored.
A rare publication on Paris under Louis-Philippe. The work proceeds by subjects and articles: the wet-nurses’ office, flower sellers, baths, streetlamps, pavements, theatre outings, beards and moustaches, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Opera Ball, the auctioneers’ hall, lorettes and courtesans (Alexandre Dumas), restaurants and...