First editions and first French translations of great international literary works

Edition with some parts in first edition. Second edition expanded by Cardonne, of the first translation by Antoine Galland which had appeared in 1724.
Full marbled and glazed calf binding, smooth spine decorated. Red morocco title-label and volume label. Red edges. 2 corners slightly bumped. Signs of rubbing, notably to headcaps and joints.
These fables of Bidpai (or Pilpai) are extracted from the "Panchatantra" attributed to Pandit Vishnu Sarma, who would have lived in the 3rd century BC. They were translated into Persian and Arabic, and spread throughout the Orient. These are the oldest fables that we know. It is not sufficiently known but this was one of the sources of La...

The American first edition, of which no deluxe copies were printed.
Publisher's full blue cloth binding, smooth spine.
Complete with dust jacket showing lacks and tears to spine and board margins, a letter inscribed in blue ink at head of front endpaper.

First edition, one of 75 numbered copies on alfa mousse paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation, for which no deluxe copies were printed.
A label trace with slight paper lack to the head of the front cover.
Handsome copy of this work adapted for cinema by the author.

First edition in French, one of 300 numbered copies on pure watermarked rag paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Rare manuscript signature of Ilya Ehrenbourg on the endpaper.

First edition in French, established by Boris Vian, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Bradel binding in full blue wood-grain paper, smooth spine with navy blue shagreen title-label set with red, covers and spine preserved.
Name of the dedicatee inscribed in blue ballpoint pen to the right of Boris Vian's autograph inscription.
Inscribed and signed by Boris Vian.

Edition translated by Defaucompret. Each volume has an engraved title accompanied by a vignette and at least 2 steel engravings per work (all on strong laid paper), the animated scenes are by Tony Johannot, the views are English engravings. 23 folding maps heightened in colors.
Contemporary half morocco binding with long grain in wine-lees color. Smooth spine decorated with rocaille tools. Marbled edges. Spines have become uniformly blonde. In volume II, a small lack to the lower joint at head. Pale scattered foxing, but the set relatively fresh, with paper remaining white, as well as the engravings.

Important critical edition, with all the author's prefaces for the...

First edition of the French adaptation by Yves Régnier, one of 700 numbered copies on alfama paper, the deluxe copies after 19 on vélin du Marais.
Handsome copy.

Fourth edition statement, after the French original published in 1750; illustrated with a frontispiece and 15 figures by Gravelot by Avéline, Chedel, Fessard and Pasquier. "Charming illustration from Gravelot's best period". Cohen. Translation and adaptation by De La Place.
Full brown glazed granulated calf binding. Smooth spine decorated. Red morocco title-label, black wax volume labels. Red edges. Rubbing, particularly to volume labels, with loss of gilding to volume 1. One corner cut to volume 1. Dampstain trace along upper joint of volume IV. Some scattered foxing, particularly on first leaves of volume 1 and title page of volume III.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling is...

New edition of the French translation and first edition of the French translation established by Guy Lévis Mano, one of 98 numbered copies on vellum, deluxe issue.
Handsome copy of this work with the original text in Castilian facing the French translation.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Spine sunned with two tears and two lacks.
Rare signed autograph inscription from Ilya Ehrenburg to the Provençal writer, caricaturist and filmmaker Carlo Rim who was notably the friend of Fernandel, Raimu and Marcel Pagnol but also of Max Jacob, enhanced with the translator's signature.

Edition illustrated with original miniaturist illustrations by Jean Gradassi, one of 2851 numbered copies on Lana handmade laid paper.

Publisher's full brown stamped leather bindings, spines with five raised bands very slightly faded, spines and covers decorated with gilt and brown stamped ornamental motifs, marbled paper endpapers and pastedowns, top edges gilt, slipcases with brown leather edges, marbled paper boards.

Handsome complete set in 12 volumes.

First edition in French, one of 20 numbered copies on pure Lafuma paper, ours unnumbered but properly watermarked Lafuma, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome full-margined copy despite minor worming to endpapers.

First edition in French, one of the numbered copies on Téka paper, the only printing.
Our copy is complete with the Gallimard publisher's slip recommending not to expose this work to public view: ..."For this reason, we think it preferable to ask Booksellers NOT TO DISPLAY THIS VOLUME IN PUBLIC VIEW and to take special care that it IS NOT GIVEN OR SOLD TO MINORS"...
Handsome copy.

First edition.
Publisher's full brown grained sheep binding, orange top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Rich iconography.
Fine copy complete with its acetate wrapper and soft slipcase.

Bibliothèque de La Pléiade edition printed on India paper.
Publisher's full grey grained sheep binding, mauve top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Handsome copy complete with its glassine wrapper and dust jacket; the soft slipcase is missing.

Bibliothèque de La Pléiade edition printed on Bible paper.
Publisher's full brown grained sheepskin binding, orange top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Handsome copy complete with its cellophane wrapper and dust jacket, lacking slipcase.

First edition in French, one of 86 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
Two small traces of sunning at head and foot of spine as usual.

First edition in French, one of 86 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
Two small traces of sunning at head and foot of spine as usual.

First edition in French, one of 67 numbered copies on pure laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Two small traces of sunning at head and foot of spine as usual.

First edition in French, one of 66 numbered copies on pure laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Two small traces of sunning at head and foot of spine as usual.

First edition in French, one of 66 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.
Two small sun-marks at head and foot of spine, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition in French, one of 66 numbered copies on pure laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine slightly sunned, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition with all the features of the first printing and for which no deluxe copies were issued.
Publisher's full dark blue cardboard binding, smooth spine, price of 13 cents 6 dollars at the foot of the inner flap of the front cover of the dust jacket.
Handsome copy complete with its dust jacket illustrated by Jerzy Faczynski which has three small tears and whose spine is slightly faded.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Publisher's full blue cloth binding, smooth spine.
Fine copy with the illustrated dust jacket by Sheila Perry in perfect condition

First edition of the French translation by Yves Bonnefoy, one of 35 numbered copies on Arches vellum, ours one of the few hors commerce copies, the only deluxe copies after 10 on Holland paper.
Handsome copy.
Precious autograph inscription signed by Yves Bonnefoy to Gilbert Lély.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Two lacks at head and foot of spine, small marginal lacks to boards, one tear re-adhered at foot of one joint.
Rare autograph inscription signed by Jan-Topass to Professor Louis Eisenmann, bookseller's label pasted just above the inscription.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Pedrag Matvejevitch.

First edition in French, one of 30 numbered copies on pure laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Two small dampstains on the verso, at head and foot, of the second cover and on the last endpaper, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy, with newspaper clipping included.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Saul Bellow to his friend Nadine Nimier, wife and widow of Roger Nimier.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A tear with loss at the head of one joint, a small blue ballpoint pen inscription in the upper left corner of the title vignette on the front cover.
Rare dated manuscript signature by Dymphna Cusack on this work denouncing the ostracism and racism suffered by Aborigines in their native land of Australia.

First edition in French, one of 100 numbered copies on American laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A handsome copy despite the spine being slightly sunned.

First edition of the French translation, one of 25 numbered copies on vélin dap-cau, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards lightly and marginally lightened as usual.

First edition of the French translation, one of 325 numbered copies on vélin d'Artois, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition.
Publisher's binding in full boards, smooth spine, complete with its translucent paper dust jacket with marginal yellowing.
Manuscript signature of Thomas Hechtte on the half-title page.
Provenance: from the library of Ulrike Bergweiler.

First edition of the French translation, one of 10 numbered copies on Lana laid paper, the only deluxe copies after 5 on Rives laid paper.
Restoration to the slipcase split at foot along its entire length, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Handsome copy despite two light stains on the spine.
Dated and signed autograph inscription from Carlos Fuentes to Bernard Sesé, translator into French of the principal Spanish-speaking writers of the 20th century.

New edition, quite rare, of Bouchon Dubournial's translation, illustrated in first printing with an engraved portrait by Cazenave and 6 figures by Desenne engraved by Laugier, Leroux...
Contemporary half glazed wine-colored calf binding. Smooth spine decorated with 3 tools, fillets and roulettes at head and tail. Gilt title and volume number. Traces of rubbing. Scattered foxing.
Benjamin Pernelle bookplate.
Cervantes' last work completed 4 days before his death and published posthumously in 1617. In his epistle, Cervantes declares he had never written anything better. The novel is a sort of rewriting of Heliodorus's Latin novel: The Aethiopica, but Cervantes placed his heroes...

First printing of this important Romantic publication issued in 10 parts in 8 volumes.
Literary contributions by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann "Le conseiller Krespel", Charles Dickens "Le baron de Grogzwig", Matthias Emmich "Geneviève de Brabant", Sâvitrî "Episode du Mahabharata", Homer "Le combat des rats et des grenouilles", Gottfried August Bürger "Lénore", Paul Gavarni "Madame Acker", Marie de France "Lai des deux amants" and "Lai du Bisclaveret", Ludwig Tieck "La réconciliation", Henri Blaze "Rosemonde" correctly containing 34 pages, which identifies the first printing as opposed to the...

New edition of the French translation, one of 50 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe printing.
Handsome copy.
Work illustrated with wood engravings in headpieces and tailpieces by Louis-William Graux.

First edition in French, one of 110 numbered copies on laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Fine copy despite the spine very slightly faded.

First edition in French, one of 66 numbered copies on laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies, with fifth edition statement.
A handsome copy.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Uru paper, deluxe copy.
Publisher's full red cardboard binding, smooth spine, a shadow having marginally and vertically lightened the front cover
Like all copies from the deluxe edition, our copy includes the original engraving by Rolf Szymanski which he signed and justified in pencil.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Publisher's binding in full bicolored yellow and black boards, smooth spine, complete with its dust jacket illustrated by Jean Bernard.
Minor marginal tears to the dust jacket, not affecting the illustration.
Very handsome copy

First edition, one of 165 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.
A fine copy.

New edition of the French translation, one of 200 numbered copies on Rives laid paper, deluxe copies.
Minor sunning to head and foot of spines, handsome full-margined copies.
Works illustrated with wood engravings by Henry Chapront.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

First edition of the new French translation by Christian, illustrated with first printing of 10 plates by Gavarni on wood and multiple vignettes, initials, tailpieces by the same. Preface on Hoffmann by Christian.
Half lemon yellow morocco binding with corners, late 19th century, signed Champs at the top of the first endpaper. Raised bands spine richly decorated. Red morocco title label. Decorative fillets on boards. Peacock eye paper on boards. Top edge gilt. Small dark spots on upper board. Small dent at foot over 2 mm. Fresh tinted paper free from foxing, rare condition for this edition usually covered with foxing and browning.
Very handsome copy.
17 tales (Salvator Rosa...

First French edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

First French edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Very fine copy.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Very handsome copy.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Very handsome copy.

First edition in French, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Minor worming and a stain to the back cover, complete with publisher's (advertising) slip.

First French edition, one of 41 numbered copies on pure linen, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards lightly and marginally faded as usual, otherwise handsome copy

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Handsome copy with the illustrated dust jacket.
Autograph inscription signed by Vassilis Vassilikos to Ulrike Bergweiler who was Antoine Gallimard's secretary.

First edition of the French translation, one of 86 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy despite the spine very slightly discolored.

First edition in French, one of 165 numbered copies on pure laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy despite minimal foxing at head of covers.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.
Work illustrated with drawings by Karel Capek.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

First edition in French, one of 367 numbered copies on alfa Lafuma, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Very handsome copy complete with its dust jacket, which shows minor worming of no significance.

First edition in French, one of 50 numbered copies on pur fil de Rives, deluxe copy.
A handsome full-margined copy.
Work illustrated with drawings by Serge.

First edition, one of 106 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.
A handsome copy.

First edition in French, one of 106 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and covers slightly discolored and sunned as usual, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition in French, one of 129 numbered copies on pure thread paper, the only deluxe copies.
Fine copy of this antifascist novel that Thornton Wilder published in 1948, inspired by Sartrean existentialism and drawing parallels between Julius Caesar and Benito Mussolini.

First edition in French, one of 50 numbered copies on Arches vellum, ours being one of 20 hors commerce copies, deluxe issue.
Fine copy.

First edition of the French translation, one of 140 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies after 15 on Holland paper
Small tears at head and foot of deckled edges, a vertical fold in margin of front cover, endpapers partially shadowed.
A full-margined copy.

First edition in French, one of 106 numbered copies on handmade paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Fine copy retaining publisher's wraparound band: "Anticipation? No! But inversion of time".

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A handsome copy.

First edition of the French translation, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Fine copy.
Preface by Philippe Labro.

First edition published in the Bibliothèque de La Pléiade and printed on Bible paper.
Rich iconography.
Small harmless stains on the lower edge of the slipcase.
Handsome copy

First edition in French, one of 55 numbered copies on wove paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy of this work evoking, in a novelistic manner, the condition and situation of Black people in the southern states of the United States in the aftermath of the Civil War.

First edition of the French translation, one of 165 numbered copies on pure thread paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards slightly and marginally discolored as usual, a small tear to upper left corner of front board, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition in French, one of 205 numbered copies on pure rag paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards slightly and marginally discolored as usual, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition.
Publisher's full brown grained sheep binding, orange top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Rich iconography.
Handsome copy complete with its acetate wrapper and flexible slipcase.

First edition in French, of which there were no deluxe copies.
A very handsome copy.

New edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe issue.
Some sunning to foot of spine, two creases to foot of back cover, otherwise handsome copy.
Work illustrated with wood-engraved head- and tailpieces by François-Martin Salvat.

First edition, on ordinary paper, of the French translation by Boris Vian, with eighth edition statement.
Very fine copy.

First edition in French, one of 110 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned as usual, otherwise fine copy.

New edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe copy.
Handsome copy.
Work illustrated with wood engravings in head- and tailpieces by Bernard Roy.

First edition in French, one of 26 numbered copies on pure rag paper, the only deluxe copies.
Spine and boards slightly and marginally lightened as usual, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition printed with 440 numbered copies.
Work illustrated with 7 wood engravings by Frans Masereel.
Pubslisher's binding in half wove-style paper boards with small corners, top edge gilt, ex-libris glued to a paste-down endpaper.
Rare handwritten presentation signed by Stefan Zweig to writer Max Spanier who disappeared during the hell of the Holocaust: “Im herzlicher Erkenntlichkeit” (“With sincere gratitude”).

First edition of the French translation established by André Gide and printed in 300 numbered copies on Rives paper.
As is generally the case, some light black spots affecting certain leaves in the margins.
Rare and fine copy with unfaded blue covers.