Signed books and autograph signatures from great writers, poets, philosophers from 16th to 21st century

First edition of the theatrical adaptation.
Bound in half red shagreen, spine in four compartments set with gilt stipples adorned with double gilt spine panels, marbled paper plates, marbled endpapers, contemporary binding.
Precious handwritten presentation signed by George Sand: “à monsieur Huart en lui demandant pardon de tout le mal que je lui donne.” “To Mr Huart asking for his forgiveness for all the harm I am causing him.”

Provenance: from the Grandsire library with its ex-libris.

First edition, one of 230 numbered copies on Auvergne paper, ours one of 75 not-for-sale copies, the only printing after 10 copies on China and a few hors commerce copies; this copy specially printed for René Daumal.
 
Frontispiece illustrated with an original lithograph by Étienne Cournault.
Very faint, insignificant foxing to the margins of the covers.
A handsome copy complete with its original wraparound band.
 
Exceptional and superb signed autograph inscription dated 27 December 1936 from René Daumal to his future partner Véra Milanova : « à Véra Milanova – à toi Véra, d'abord ces anciens mensonges (que je n'ai pu nourrir qu'en ton absence) pour leur faire une sépulture définitive ; puis ces quelques ombres de vérités que tu m'as aidé à comprendre ; mais surtout, Véra, je préfère te dédier une grande page blanche, neuve, invisible, où nous écrirons sans mots notre histoire. Prends ce petit tombeau d'un ancien René Daumal, de la main de ton Nasha. 27 décembre 1936. »

First edition on ordinary paper.

Publisher’s full cloth binding, flat spine, minor inconsequential wear to headcaps and corners.

Illustrations.

Rare and valuable presentation copy to Odette and Francis Ponge.

New edition for the first volume, first edition on ordinary paper for the three other ones.
Bound in dark blue half morocco, five raised bands on spine, marbled paper boards, marbled pastedowns and endpapers, original wrappers preserved, gilt top edges, contemporary bindings with blind-stamped signature of bookbinder Petitot.
A fine set despite minor scuffing to the spines.
Signed and inscribed by Anatole France to Madame Félix Roussel on each of the four volumes. The author penned an amusing first dedication on the opening page of text of the first volume:

"A Madame Félix Roussel, ces quatre volumes d'un cours de littérature qui aura du moins cet effet de ne lui apprendre absolument rien

Affectueusement Anatole France

 

[To Madame Félix Roussel, these four volumes of a litterature lesson which will at least have the effect of teaching her absolutely nothing]"

Madame Félix Roussel, née Pauline Gérard, was a devoted reader of Anatole France's works. The author gifted her a great number of his books, and even the original manuscript of his lectures on Rabelais.