Writers' testimonies and interviews, autobiographical accounts, literary essays and criticism

First edition, one of the review copies.

Spine slightly faded.
Signed and inscribed by the author to Françoise Giroud.

First edition, one of the copies printed on Japanese paper.

Small tears and minor losses to the corners of the wrappers, which are partially faded along the edges; a tear at the foot of the spine.

Internally in very good condition.

First collected edition, one of 36 numbered copies on Holland paper, constituting the deluxe issue.

A very good copy.

First edition, one of 32 numbered copies on Holland paper, this being one of 10 reserved for the Porte d'Aude group, the second deluxe issue after 5 copies on Japan paper.

Illustrated with a photographic portrait of Joseph Delteil and a frontispiece by Germaine Caussignac.

Offsetting to the title page and slight fading to the edge of one wrapper. Otherwise a rare and attractive copy.

First trade edition, with a new preface, one of 550 numbered copies on Hollande paper, the only deluxe issue.
Contemporary-style binding in half brown morocco, spine with three broad raised bands, decorated with double gilt-ruled compartments and gilt dotted tooling, very slight rubbing to the joints, marbled paper boards, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.

An attractively bound copy.

First edition, one of 262 numbered copies printed on pur fil paper in a larger format.
A very good copy.

First edition, one of 62 numbered copies on Madagascar paper, the deluxe issue in this format.
Contemporary English binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, one of the most celebrated and distinguished London bookbinding firms of the early twentieth century, in olive-green half morocco, uniformly faded smooth spine decorated with gilt dotted lines, rules and floral ornaments, together with black rules, olive-green cloth-effect boards, original green wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, retaining the original deckle edges.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Illustrated with a portrait of Arthur Rimbaud as frontispiece and a facsimile of an autograph manuscript.
Spine faded, with two tears at head and foot.

First edition on ordinary paper, issued after the destruction of the 1923 printing following a dispute between Tzara and the publisher.

A rare and fine copy, complete with its publisher's insert.

Housed in a black half-morocco chemise, smooth spine lettered in palladium, boards covered with paper decorated with abstract motifs, blue paper endleaves; matching slipcase edged in black morocco and covered with paper decorated with abstract motifs. Both by the Boichot bindery.
Double autograph inscription, signed and dated by Tristan Tzara, first to Paul Éluard – « à Paul Éluard. Tristan Tzara. Juillet 1929 » – then, after striking through this initial dedication, to...

First edition of Marcel Proust's translation, notes and preface, one of the first-issue copies numbered at the press.

Contemporary red half-cloth Bradel binding, smooth spine decorated with a gilt fleuron and showing a few minor spots of fading, double gilt fillet at foot, black morocco lettering-piece, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved.

An attractive copy in a contemporary binding.

First edition of the French translation by Bernard Faÿ, for which no deluxe copies were printed. One of the review copies.

Dated and signed autograph inscription from Bernard Faÿ to the Duke Pozzo di Borgo.

First edition, one of 250 numbered copies on Japan paper, constituting the deluxe issue.
Fine copy.

First edition, one of the review copies.

A very good copy, with only slight, inconsequential sunning to the spine.

Signed presentation inscription from Paul Morand to Maurice Clavel: \"... son lecteur très attentif et hebdomadaire...\"

First edition of the French translation and introduction by Pierre Klossowski, one of 43 numbered copies printed on pur fil paper, constituting the deluxe issue.

Contemporary-style binding in black half morocco-grain leather over corner pieces, spine with five raised bands showing slight rubbing, date gilt at foot, boards also showing minor rubbing along the edges, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.

First edition, one of 1,040 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue apart from 30 copies on pur fil paper.
Publisher's binding after an original design by Mario Prassinos.
Notes by Michel Leiris.

Headcaps slightly rubbed and split, with no serious damage.

First edition.
Contemporary red half morocco. Spine with raised bands, compartments decorated with gilt dentelle borders. Gilt titles. Some rubbing. A few scattered spots of foxing, otherwise a fresh copy on good wove paper.





 

First edition, one of 2050 numbered copies on vélin labeur paper.
Publisher's boards after Paul Bonet's original design.
Boards slightly yellowed, as is usual.

First edition, one of 1,050 numbered copies on alfama paper.

Publisher's boards after the original design by Mario Prassinos. A tiny sunned area at the head of the spine.

A remarkably fresh copy.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on "pur-fil" paper, most limited issue.

The book Camus dedicated to his friend René Leynaud. Our copy is housed in a custom black half morocco chemise, handmade striped paper boards, title and author gilt stamped, brown pastedowns, slipcase edged with morocco, handmade striped paper boards, a handsome set signed by Boichot.

Rare and handsome copy.

"La Revue Libre, a clandestine review, published in February 1944 an anonymous Lettre à un Ami allemand. It was by Camus. By Camus, too, was the second letter that appeared at the same date, under the pseudonym Louis Neuville...

First edition, one of 135 numbered copies on Arches wove paper, constituting the deluxe issue.

Foreword by Jean Cocteau.

A rare and attractive copy, with full margins.

Dated and signed autograph inscription from Roger Peyrefitte to the bibliophile Maurice Gorrée.

First edition, one of 11 numbered copies on Hollande paper, constituting the deluxe issue.

A rare and attractive copy.

First edition, one of 20 numbered copies on Hollande paper, constituting the deluxe issue.

A rare and attractive copy with full margins.

Three works bound in one volume, comprising one first French translation and two first editions.

Half fawn calf, paste-paper boards, green corners, smooth spine decorated with six gilt bands and three blind-stamped tools, two titles stamped on the spine (that of the Mémoire sur l'université is not present), speckled edges. Some rubbing and soiling to the binding, light foxing.

A curious gathering of two scientific texts, one devoted to the telegraph and the other to optical instruments, together with a polemical pamphlet by the founder of the Collège Stanislas.

Edition published in the same year as the first edition, one of the numbered copies bound to an original design by Massin.

Publisher's full orange cloth binding, smooth spine, complete with the original wraparound band and transparent acetate dust jacket.

Signed autograph inscription from André Malraux to J. C. Lévêque on the half-title page.

On the preceding page, a stamped impression featuring the Cross of Lorraine and the inscription \"Exposition Charles De Gaulle- mairie de Vincennes du 2 au 9 novembre 1973\".

First edition, one of only 11 numbered copies on Hollande paper, constituting the deluxe issue.

A rare and attractive copy, illustrated with two drawings by Jean de La Varende, engraved on wood by H. Cols.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Bound in burgundy half morocco, spine with five raised bands outlined in black, boards covered in moiré-effect paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, speckled edges.

Signed autograph inscription from André Malraux to Madame Simone Sivry.

First edition, one of 515 copies printed, of this catalogue published on the occasion of a Surrealist exhibition held at the Galerie Nina Dausset from 7 to 30 October 1948.

Preface by André Breton.

Booklet with an illustrated frontispiece.

Rare and attractive copy.

The first editions of two major works by Jacques Necker, bound together.

Half green calf, stone-marbled green paper boards, smooth spine decorated with gilt bands and blind-stamped tools, three blind-stamped ornaments, black title labels, stone-marbled paper pastedowns, sprinkled edges. Very slight rubbing to the binding, an ink stain on the first free endpaper and the first title page, occasional light soiling to a few leaves.

Two works published on the eve of the Revolution, in which Necker, formerly Director-General of Finances under Louis XVI, defends his management of the public accounts and goes on to examine the religious foundations of the...

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on wove paper, the only deluxe issue.

A fine and rare copy.

First edition of the French translation, one of 60 numbered copies on pur fil, head of the print run.

Preface by André Gide.

Rare and appealing copy.

First public edition of this text by Jean Guéhenno, written under the pseudonym Cévennes, one of 60 numbered copies on Madagascar paper, from the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

Deluxe first edition on Oikos paper, limited to 200 copies, this copy being one of 5 presentation copies signed by the publisher and enriched with unpublished documents relating to the discovery of the manuscript.

Swiss binding with exposed stitching, smooth cloth spine, illustrated boards and slipcase.

Original French translation of the last manuscript recovered from a deportee assigned to the Sonderkommandos.

Marcel Nadjary (1917-1971), a Greek Jew from Thessaloniki, deported to Auschwitz in the spring of 1944, was assigned to the Sonderkommando. He wrote a...

First edition, illustrated with photographs by Lucien Clergue.

Publisher’s binding in full boards, smooth spine,

With a text by Jean-Marie Magnan.

Signed autograph inscription by Lucien Clergue to the writer Christiane Baroche: "Pour Christiane ces images de notre éternelle jeunesse ! et avec la bise de Lucien. 5.X.2002."

First edition, with no copies printed on deluxe paper, one of the publisher’s review copies.

Pleasing copy, complete with its publisher’s printed slip.

Autograph presentation inscription signed by Paul Valéry to Germaine Fiévé: "... petit souvenir d'une collaboration sans mauvaises pensées et autres..."

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Rivoli vellum, the only deluxe-paper issue.

A particularly handsome copy

First edition, one of 24 numbered copies on Vélin Rivoli, the only deluxe issue.

A particularly handsome copy.

First edition, one of 36 copies on pure-wire vellum, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A particularly attractive copy.

Very rare first edition (125 copies printed according to Quérard) of this remarkable exposition of Talma’s dramaturgical principles, still regarded as a “revolutionary” actor despite his immense success (his friendship with Napoleon never wavered); the text was inserted the same year, 1825, at the beginning of the new edition of the Memoirs of Henri-Louis Caïn, known as Lekain (1729–1778), who was still considered in the early nineteenth century as one of the greatest tragedians of the eighteenth century.

See Quérard IX, 333.

Scattered foxing.

Full cherry-red long-grain morocco, smooth spine tooled with gilt fillets, garlands and fleurons, gilt rolls at head and tail...

First edition.

With press clippings laid in.

Half bronze sheep binding, spine with four raised bands framed with gilt pointillé and decorated with double gilt fillets, red sheep lettering-piece, a few small black spots and a light scratch to the spine, marbled paper boards, cat’s-eye patterned endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary binding.

A pleasing copy.

New edition, revised, corrected, and considerably enlarged.

Contemporary bindings in half mottled fawn calf over corners, smooth spines gilt with fillets, morocco title and volume labels, brown paper-covered boards, sprinkled edges.

Some minor rubbing to the spines, a few corners slightly bumped.

L'Esprit des lois occupies volumes I to IV; La Défense de l'Esprit des lois volume V (with a general index); Lettres persanes volume VI; volume VII gathers the Considérations and related pieces; volume VIII contains the posthumous works.

This collected edition of Montesquieu's works offers no particular bibliographical peculiarities in its...

First edition of the French translation, one of the scarce lettered copies printed on pur fil for private circulation, ours bearing the letter A, the only deluxe-paper copies together with 25 numbered copies on pur fil.
Wide-margined copy, boards and spine lightly and marginally sunned, a few scattered foxmarks affecting some leaves and deckle edges.

Second edition, illustrated with a macabre engraved frontispiece (cf. Quérard II, 516; Cioranescu, XVIII, 13544, for the original 1712 edition).

Contemporary handwritten annotations on the title leaf.

Full brown calf binding, spine with five raised bands richly gilt in compartments with decorative tools, red morocco title label largely missing, gilt fillet framing the covers, sprinkled edges, corners rubbed, contemporary binding.

Headcaps worn down, some rubbing to spine and boards.

Second edition of this highly engaging work of early “libertine” philosophy, in the original sense of the term.

The project of the Réflexions was inspired by a remark...

First edition, one of 24 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.

With sections devoted in particular to Cesare Pavese and Alberto Moravia...

A rare and attractive copy of Dominique Fernandez’s first published work.

First edition of Joseph von Hammer's major history of Persian belles-lettres, published in Vienna in 1818 by Heubner und Volke. Large quarto, XII and 432 pages, with an engraved portrait of the author as frontispiece, a plate of music bound between pages 272 and 273, and an index. The work is dedicated to Silvestre de Sacy.

Contemporary half polished tan calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets, chain tools and floral ornaments, saffron-coloured boards, marbled edges. Joints split at foot and more slightly at head. A handsome copy with generous margins.

Hammer's...

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies on Holland paper, the deluxe issue.

Full chocolate-brown morocco binding, spine with five raised bands framed with black fillets, date gilt at foot, gilt rolls on the caps, marbled paper endpapers and doublures, gilt double fillet borders on the doublures, gilt fillets along the edges, original wrappers and spine preserved, all edges gilt, slipcase edged with matching chocolate morocco, sides in marbled paper, interior lined with grey felt. A splendid binding signed by Semet & Plumelle.

A very handsome copy, perfectly bound in full morocco by Semet & Plumelle.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on Ingres paper, deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

New edition, one of 50 copies on deluxe paper (no. 29/500) and issued with a named dedication, ours specially printed for Baron Emmanuel-Alban Guillaume-Rey (1837–1916), orientalist and archaeologist specializing in medieval Syria.

Full rigid vellum binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and floral tools, brick-brown morocco title label, gilt place and date at foot, gilt cornerpieces on the covers, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding.

A poetic account of the exploits of Peter I of Lusignan, King of Cyprus (1328–1369), written shortly after his death at the request of Charles V, and centered on the so-called “Alexandrian Crusade,” the ill-fated...

First edition, with no deluxe-paper copies printed.
Illustrations.

A handsome copy despite the slightly faded spine.

Precious and fine signed presentation copy from Louis Aragon to Maurice Druon: "A Maurice Druon, pour qu'il sache que de temps je m'égarée dans Césarée. [sic] Louis".

First edition of this important account of Buffon, providing insights into his private life, his character, and his relationships with those around him; it also contains numerous references to his scientific work (cf. Quérard I, 119: "Lyon, Grabit, 1788"; Dureau, "Notice sur Joseph Aude," p. 15).

Half vellum binding, smooth spine with a red morocco title label in vertical layout, marbled paper boards, slightly rubbed corners, sprinkled edges.

Stains in the margins of the title page and final leaf.

The memoirs proper end on page 55.

The following pages contain the poems announced in the title.

The rarity of this volume was already noted by Dureau in...

First edition of the French translation, one of 40 numbered copies on alfa paper, this one of 10 hors commerce copies, the deluxe issue.
Spine slightly sunned.
Rare signed and dated autograph inscription from Nikos Kazantzakis to Charles Orengo, then literary director of Éditions Plon.

Orengo, nicknamed “Père Joseph” by Françoise Verny, was a key figure in post-war French publishing. The founder of Éditions du Rocher, he went on to spend many years at Plon before being appointed to the management of the Librairie Hachette. He ended his career as chairman of Fayard. 

First edition of William Shakespeare, published in 1864 by A. Lacroix, Verboeckhoven & Cie.

Contemporary half aubergine calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt and blind fillets, gilt ornamental bands at head and foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns. A few small areas of foxing.

A highly significant copy, with a signed autograph presentation inscription from Victor Hugo to Camille Berru, added on a leaf of blue paper:

“To my brave and dear companion in adversity...

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Holland paper, the deluxe issue.
Bound in full ebony morocco, smooth spine decorated with small inlays of garnet morocco and pearl-grey box calf, the latter framing the author’s initials and the title; the first numeral of the date, given in Roman numerals, appears within a square of pearl-grey box calf. Morocco boards framed with wide panels of chocolate suede, the upper cover with a large granulated paper panel lettered with the title and date of the edition set in garnet morocco, the initials framed by a rectangle of paper taken from a map of Haute-Savoie; bluish paper...

First edition, one of 160 hors commerce copies on Lana vellum, ours being one of 60 hors commerce copies, the only deluxe issue.

Half long-grain black morocco binding, smooth spine lettered with the author’s name, title, date, and the palladium inscription “EX. JOSEPH KESSEL 1958”, wood-patterned paper boards, grey endpapers and pastedowns, wrappers and spine preserved, binding signed by Thomas Boichot.

Some foxing, mainly affecting the wrappers and the first and last leaves.

Exceptional and moving signed autograph presentation from Maurice Druon to Joseph Kessel: "A toi mon grand Jef, cet Alexandre le grand né lui aussi sous le signe du...

First bilingual edition with texts in Spanish and French, one of the numbered copies.

Publisher’s full beige cloth bindings, smooth spines, complete with their illustrated dust jackets and slipcase.

A richly illustrated work featuring numerous black and colour reproductions of Vieira da Silva’s artworks.

Texts by Jean-François Jaeger, Guy Weelen, Jean-Luc Daval, Diane Daval Béran, Virginie Duval...

A fine copy, complete with the chronological list of works reproduced in colour, inserted as a loose leaf.

First edition, one of 10 lettered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies.

Illustrated on the cover with a portrait of Max Jacob by Pablo Picasso.

A rare and handsome copy.

First edition, with no deluxe paper copies issued (except for No. 7) for each volume.
Our complete set comprises:
Céline Notebooks 1: Céline and the Literary Scene 1932–1957.
Céline Notebooks 2: Céline and the Literary Scene 1957–1961.
Céline Notebooks 3: Semmelweis and Other Medical Writings.
Céline Notebooks 4: Letters and Early Writings from Africa 1916–1917.
Céline Notebooks 5: Letters to Female Friends.
Céline Notebooks 6: Letters to Albert Paraz 1947–1957.
Céline Notebooks 7: Céline and Current Events 1933–1961.
Céline Notebooks 8: Progress followed by Works for Stage and Screen.
Illustrations.
Rare complete set.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Ingres d'Arches paper, the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

First edition, review copy.

Nice copy.
Signed autograph Andre Suares Georges Le Cardonnel: "... that should all read & do not think less ..."

First edition of the French translation by Isabelle Rivière, one of 33 numbered copies on pur fil de Voiron, ours being one of 5 hors commerce copies, reimposed in quarto Tellière format, the only deluxe copies.

A handsome and rare copy.

First edition, one of 15 numbered copies on pure wove paper, the only deluxe copies.

A very handsome copy.

First edition, one of 40 numbered copies on Lana wove paper, the only deluxe paper issue.

A handsome copy.

First edition on ordinary paper.

A pleasant copy.

Precious signed autograph inscription from André Pieyre de Mandiargues: "A Henri Michaux le coeur de son vieil ami André Pieyre de Mandiargues" enriched with Yvonne Caroutch’s handwritten signature.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on Popset Whisky paper, the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

First edition of the French translation, one of 200 copies numbered on Marais vellum, the only deluxe paper issue.

Minor rubbing along the joints. A rare and attractive copy.

First edition.

Half brown shagreen binding, spine faded with five raised bands, date gilt at foot, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary binding.

Minor foxing, mainly at the beginning of the volume.

Signed autograph inscription from the Goncourt brothers to Mr. Simon.

Rare first edition, no deluxe paper copies mentioned.

Bradel binding in cream half-cloth, smooth spine decorated with central gilt tooled flower, gilt date and twice ruled in gilt at foot, brown sheep title label with scuffs and a small loss of leather, boards covered in cat’s-eye patterned paper, some staining to the lower board, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding.

A few small tears to margins, occasionally with very slight lacks of paper to the first few leaves; an inscription by the author on the half-title neatly erased.

First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on Holland paper.

Some minor foxing, two tears and slight losses to the spine.

Paul Léautaud’s handwritten signature beneath the colophon.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt garlands, gilt date at foot, a small tear at the foot of the spine, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edge.

Scattered foxing.

Partly original edition, with no mention of a deluxe paper issue.

Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands tooled with gilt garlands, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt edges, contemporary binding.

Pleasant copy.