Handsome copy.
Precious autograph inscription signed by Elsa Triolet to Maurice Druon: "A Maurice en courant après l'âme. Elsa." ["To Maurice, running after the soul. Elsa."]
Provenance: from the library of academician Maurice Druon.
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Bradel binding in full wood-effect paper, smooth spine, author's name and title lettered in orange and vertically, in the center of the front board, inlaid, a photographic portrait, covers and spine preserved, slipcase bordered with the same wood-effect paper, brown paper boards, original contemporary binding signed Leroux.
Handsome copy pleasantly executed by one of the last great masters of French twentieth-century bookbinding.
First edition illustrated with 19 original lithographs by Alexandre Lunois, one of 140 numbered copies on Japan paper, the only printing with 60 other Japan copies containing separate proofs of the illustrations.
Two light halos on the first cover, small worming on the second cover.
Handsome copy.