Les chansons de Bilitis

First issue illustrated edition with twelve original etchings by Edouard Chimot. Edition of 576 copies. This copy, one of 100 on Van Gelder Holland laid paper containing the color and black and white states of each figure. Chimot's illustration celebrates the sapphic loves of Bilitis.
Unique copy, expanded with an original signed drawing by Edouard Chimot and a quadruple suite on Japan paper of 8 different etchings from the edition's illustration: 1. Linear state, unreduced plate; 2. Linear state, unreduced plate with remarques; 3. In black, reduced plate; 4. Final state in colors. This quadruple suite is perhaps the one announced in the justification for the 40 hors-commerce copies. Being larger in dimensions than the book, it gives the copy its grand format. To fill the void at the foot, paper tabs have been mounted on hinges. Dimensions of the original book, 20x25, of the drawing 21.5x31.5cm, the Japan suite in the same format as the drawing.
Doublure binding in full caramel morocco with an important continuous gilt and mosaic Art Deco decoration on the covers and spine, signed at the bottom of the pastedown Marie-Madeleine Lorthiois. Teal blue morocco pastedowns with gilt and mosaic decoration, black and gold silk endpapers, double endpapers of silvered marbled paper, gilt fillet on the leading edges, gilt engine-turned headcaps, edges gilt on deckled edges, covers and spine preserved.
Half-caramel morocco chemise with flaps bearing gilt title on spine, and a matching bordered slipcase. Rubbing marks on the slipcase, one rubbing mark at the head of the chemise.
Personal copy of the binder and bibliophile Marie-Madeleine Lorthiois, with her ex-libris label.
Magnificent binding, "One of the finest by Marie-Madeleine Lorthiois" (Christian Galantaris).