First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy. A small tear to the middle of the front cover, discreet numbering in the upper right corner of the verso of the front cover Precious autograph inscription signed by Paul Claudel to Ida Rubinstein: "à Ida Rubinstein son ami. P. Claudel." ["to Ida Rubinstein his friend. P. Claudel."] Star dancer of the celebrated Ballets Russes, icon of the Belle Époque, patron of the arts, Ida Rubinstein played the role of Joan in Paul Claudel's Joan of Arc at the Stake, during the first orchestral version performed in May 1938 in Basel. She also commissioned Maurice Ravel's famous Boléro. After leading a scandalous life for her time, notably for her bisexuality, she died mystical and solitary, forgotten by all.