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Departments / Literature

First Editions

11388 results
  3. Les névroses - Les âmes - Les luxures - Les refuges - Les spectres - Les ténèbres
    Maurice ROLLINAT
    Les névroses - Les âmes - Les luxures - Les refuges - Les spectres - Les ténèbres
    G. Charpentier|Paris 1883|19 x 14 cm|relié
    First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies after ten on Japan and a few on China.
    With frontispiece portrait of the author engraved by F. Desmoulin.
    Half brown morocco with corners, smooth spine with mosaic heart-shaped havana morocco title and author labels covering a long floral spray in mosaic gilt with inlaid colored morocco petals and leaves, head and foot enhanced with five small circles gilt and inlaid with havana morocco, gilt fillet on covers, marbled paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, top edge gilt retaining deckled edges. Binding signed by Canape.
    Our copy is enhanced with an autograph quatrain mounted on a stub: "Barbey d'Aurevilly: c'est la plume effroyable, la plume qui fait peur au papier frémissant. Car elle écrit les mots que lui dicte le Diable avec du Vitriol, des larmes et du sang!" ["Barbey d'Aurevilly: it is the dreadful pen, the pen that frightens the trembling paper. For it writes the words dictated by the Devil with Vitriol, tears and blood!"]. The note mirrors a remark by Barbey d'Aurevilly, his friend, who also called him a devil but a "Devil of steel".
    €3,500
  4. Les grands courants de la biologie
    (to Boris VIAN) Jean ROSTAND
    Les grands courants de la biologie
    Gallimard|Paris 1951|12.50 x 20 cm|broché
    First edition on ordinary paper, statement of edition, printed press service stamp on the head of the back cover.
    Paper yellowed.
    Very precious signed autograph inscription from Jean Rostand to his friend and neighbor Boris Vian: "Pour Boris bien amicalement. Jean Rostand." ["For Boris with warm friendship. Jean Rostand"]
    Jean Rostand, who was Boris Vian's neighbor in Ville d'Avray, introduced him to Gallimard and made Raymond Queneau discover his works.
    €400
  5. Swing
    (to Boris VIAN) Gaston CRIEL
    Swing
    Editions Universitaires Françaises|Paris 1948|11.50 x 18.50 cm|broché
    The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
    Presentation by Jean Cocteau and Charles Delaunay.
    Small marginal tears to the fragile covers, paper yellowed, complete with publisher's (advertising) slip illustrated with photographs of the author in company of the most illustrious jazzmen.
    Very precious signed autograph inscription by Gaston Criel on the half-title: "A Boris Vian, son ami. Criel" ["To Boris Vian, his friend. Criel"].
    €750
  6. De la bamboula au Be-Bop
    (to Boris VIAN) Bernard HEUVELMANS
    De la bamboula au Be-Bop
    Editions de la main jetée|Paris 1951|12.50 x 19 cm|broché
    The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
    A small dampstain at foot of spine and light sunning at foot of rear board, complete with publisher's (advertising) slip.
    Very precious autograph inscription dated and signed by Bernard Heuvelmans on the front endpaper: "A Boris Vian avec l'espoir qu'il aimera ce petit livre d'un jazz nourri de mystère, d'érotisme et d'humour. En toute sympathie" ["To Boris Vian with the hope that he will love this little book of jazz nourished by mystery, eroticism and humor. With all sympathy"].
    €500
  7. L'instant fatal
    Raymond QUENEAU (to Boris VIAN)
    L'instant fatal
    Gallimard|Paris 1948|12 x 19 cm|broché
    First edition of which only 13 deluxe copies were printed on pur fil paper, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
    Spine sunned with two small tears at foot, a crease mark at foot of second cover, complete with publisher's slip.
    Very precious autograph inscription signed by Raymond Queneau on the half-title page to his great friend Boris Vian and his wife Michèle: "A Michèle à Boris Vian, en toute joyeuseté Queneau." ["To Michèle to Boris Vian, in all joyfulness Queneau."]
    €1,500
  9. Puissances du jazz
    (to Boris VIAN) Gérard LEGRAND
    Puissances du jazz
    Librairie Arcanes|Paris 1953|14.50 x 19.50 cm|broché
    The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
    Spine creased and lightly sunned, paper yellowed.
    Iconography.
    Very precious signed autograph inscription from Gérard Legrand on the half-title page: "A Boris Vian, poète authentique et méconnu, qui voulut bien naguère se prêter au supplice d'une interview... où transparaissait Duke Ellington. Amical hommage" ["To Boris Vian, authentic and unrecognized poet, who was kind enough to submit to the ordeal of an interview... where Duke Ellington shone through. Friendly tribute"].
    €500
  10. Anthologie des jeunes auteurs
    Raymond QUENEAU (to Boris VIAN)
    Anthologie des jeunes auteurs
    J.A.R.|Paris 1955|14 x 19 cm|relié
    First edition on ordinary paper.
    Half havana morocco binding, smooth spine, decorative paper boards, brown paper doublure to endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, signed binding by Goy & Vilaine.
    Contributions by Louis Calaferte, René Fallet, Yves Gibeau...
    Very precious autograph inscription signed by Raymond Queneau to his great friend Boris Vian: "A Ursula, à Boris leur ami. Queneau." ["To Ursula, to Boris their friend. Queneau."]
    €1,800
  17. Un apôtre de l'art du théâtre au XVIIIe siècle : Luigi Riccoboni dit Lélio - Un apôtre de l'art du théâtre au XVIIIe siècle : Luigi Riccoboni dit Lélio. Introduction et bibliographie
    Xavier de COURVILLE
    Un apôtre de l'art du théâtre au XVIIIe siècle : Luigi Riccoboni dit Lélio - Un apôtre de l'art du théâtre au XVIIIe siècle : Luigi Riccoboni dit Lélio. Introduction et bibliographie
    Librairie E. Droz • Librairie Théâtrale|Paris 1943-1958|16.50 x 25.50 cm|4 volumes brochés
    First edition.
    Spine sunned.
    Handsome complete set in 3 volumes:
    - Volume I: L'expérience italienne (1676-1715)
    - Volume II: L'expérience française (1716-1731)
    - Volume III: La leçon (1732-1753)
    Signed and inscribed by Xavier de Courville to Charles Gourdin on the second and third volumes.
    The first volume is enhanced with a two-page dated and signed autograph letter from Xavier de Courville regarding the forthcoming publication of the second volume and the activities of the theatrical association "Les amis d'Arlequin" which he directed.
    We include, to complete this set: Luigi Riccoboni dit Lélio: Introduction et bibliographie, by the same author, published by Droz in 1943 in first edition.
    This volume also contains a one-page signed autograph letter from Xavier de Courville dated 1958.

    €450
  18. Les Pléiades
    Arthur de GOBINEAU
    Les Pléiades
    Jos. Müller & Cie • Plon|Stockholm • et Paris 1874|11.50 x 18.50 cm|relié
    First edition of which there were no deluxe copies. The front cover has been preserved.
    Contemporary half glazed blonde calf binding. Spine with 5 raised bands decorated with fillets. Red long-grained morocco title label, second title label in tawny morocco. One surface abrasion at foot caused by a library label.
    Handsome copy with fresh paper, free from foxing.
    Red morocco bookplate: Mortimer L. Schiff. Second engraved bookplate: F.M. Caye.
    Much sought after according to Clouzot.
    The last novel published by the author, his testament and masterpiece, in which he proves to be the precursor of Nietzsche. The work went completely unnoticed at its publication and fewer than 500 copies were sold in 7 years. Nearly a third of the publication was distributed as presentation copies, without alerting the critics however...
    €1,300
  21. Voyage de l'Avant-matin ou la tabatière magique
    P.E. LAMAISON, Pierre ALARY
    Voyage de l'Avant-matin ou la tabatière magique
    Publications françaises|Paris 1962|25.50 x 32.50 cm|en feuilles sous chemise et étui
    First edition, one of 1000 numbered copies on Canson paper, ours being one of 150 numbered in Roman numerals and hand-colored for all illustrations, deluxe issue.
    Work illustrated by Pierre Alary.
    Handsome copy.
    We include the subscription bulletin for the work, three menus from dinners aboard the steamship "Flandre" from April 15, 16 and 17, 1957
    Our copy is enriched with this manuscript note on a loose leaf of Canson paper by Jean Guitton in red pencil: "Il n'est pas nécessaire qu'un livre soit lu... Parfois un beau titre suffit. Jean Guitton" ["It is not necessary that a book be read... Sometimes a beautiful title suffices. Jean Guitton"]
    €100
  31. A travers Paris
    CRAFTY
    A travers Paris
    Plon|Paris s. d. [1885]|27 x 23 cm|reliure de l'éditeur
    First edition and first printing of the illustrations.
    Publisher's full olive green cloth binding, smooth unlettered spine, front board decorated with an equestrian scene, blue paper endpapers and pastedowns, red edges.
    Illustrations in text and full-page in black and color by Crafty.
    Very occasional foxing.
    Handsome copy despite the top headcap very slightly rubbed without any significance and a small nick at the foot of the front board.
    We include the dust jacket of the work in poor condition.
    €350
  32. Les amants de Venise. George Sand & Musset
    Charles MAURRAS
    Les amants de Venise. George Sand & Musset
    E. de Boccard|Paris 1900|12.50 x 20 cm|relié

    New edition, with some parts in first edition as expanded with a preface, one of 30 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copies after 6 on Japan paper.

     

    Full chocolate brown morocco binding, spine with five raised bands, gilt roulettes on headcaps, quadruple black fillets framing the boards, black fleurons at corners, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, triple gilt fillets framing the pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, double gilt fillets on leading edges, top edge gilt on deckled edges, contemporary binding signed by Stroobants.


    Bookplate pasted at head of one pastedown.


    Very fine copy perfectly executed by Stroobants.

    €800
  36. Journal de l'expédition des portes de fer
    Charles NODIER
    Journal de l'expédition des portes de fer
    Imprimerie Royale|Paris 1844|19 x 29 cm|relié
    First edition never put into commerce, intended for members of the royal family and state dignitaries. It is printed on strong vellum, the only issue with 6 on China paper. Work illustrated with 200 vignettes in the text and 40 out-of-text figures engraved on wood, printed before letters on applied China paper, by Raffet, Decamps, Dauzat. Our copy is complete with its folding map at the end (Route de Philippeville à Alger). Fine work very well printed, with high quality engravings.
    Publisher's Bradel binding covered with chamois paper, chamois slipcase (probably later). Smooth spine with beige calf title label. Spine slightly darkened with damage to the title label and at two places on the spine. Rubbing at foot revealing the white underneath. Some occasional foxing, notably to tissue guards, on perfectly white paper. The captions for the plates are found at the bottom of the tissue guards.
    Book recounting the Duke of Orléans' expedition to Algeria in 1839. It was written by the writer Charles Nodier, based on notes taken by the young prince. Major account of the conquest of Algeria.
    Handsome copy, full-margined, in its original boards.
    €1,200
  37. Penser et oublier. Poésies
    Eugène DUBOIS
    Penser et oublier. Poésies
    Borrani et Droz • Kiessling Schnée & Co|Paris • & Bruxelles [Brussels] • & Leipzig 1855|10 x 15 cm|relié
    First edition.
    Half red shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands showing minor rubbing, date gilt at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, corners slightly bumped, top edge gilt.
    Occasional light foxing.
    Autograph inscription dated and signed by Eugène Dubois to his friend the poet Adolphe Napoléon Didron in the form of a quatrain and ending on the title page with this self-criticism by the author: "Dans ce petit livre, il y a neuf pièces sur dix à supprimer."
    Our copy is enhanced with several corrections and manuscript additions by Eugène Dubois on pages 9, 37, 49, 50, 65 as well as important manuscript modifications on pages 78 and 87-88.

    €300
  47. L'imagier de Harlem ou la découverte de l'imprimerie
    Gérard de NERVAL, Joseph MÉRY
    L'imagier de Harlem ou la découverte de l'imprimerie
    Librairie Théâtrale|Paris 1852|12 x 19 cm|relié
    First edition with the cover dated 1852.
    Bradel binding in burgundy half-cloth, smooth spine, rubbed tawny shagreen title-label, date gilt at foot, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, top edge gilt, binding stamp-signed in blind Guellier.
    Some light foxing.
    Rare.
    Provenance: from the library of Eugène Richtenberger with his engraved bookplate pasted on a pastedown.
    €200
  48. Observations sur l'art du comédien, et sur d'autres objets concernant cette profession en général
    Jean-Nicolas SERVANDONI
    Observations sur l'art du comédien, et sur d'autres objets concernant cette profession en général
    Chez la veuve Duschene • Costard|Paris 1775|13.50 x 21.50 cm|relié
    Second edition with some parts in first edition as it was revised, corrected and expanded with many anecdotes and several new notes or observations.
    Bradel binding in full boards, smooth spine slightly browned with a handwritten paper title label and a library shelf label, on the front board, label bearing the title crossed out and scratched from the work, one upper corner slightly bumped, contemporary temporary binding.
    Handsome interior condition despite some minor foxing.
    €300
  57. Comédiennes du XVIIIème siècle. Mademoiselle Gogo, mademoiselle Beauménard de la Comédie Française 1730-1799
    Paul GINISTY
    Comédiennes du XVIIIème siècle. Mademoiselle Gogo, mademoiselle Beauménard de la Comédie Française 1730-1799
    Charpentier & Fasquelle|Paris 1913|12 x 19 cm|relié
    First edition on ordinary paper.
    Bradel binding in grey half cloth, smooth spine, gilt date at foot, black shagreen title label with marginal tear, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding.
    Work illustrated with 12 plates hors-texte.
    Autograph inscription signed by Paul Ginisty to Henri Lavedan.
    €50
  61. Gabriel
    George SAND
    Gabriel
    Félix Bonnaire|Paris 1840|14 x 23 cm|relié

    First edition, rare, published in the Complete Works of George Sand by Bonnaire. The half-title indicates volume XXIV.



    Modern half black straight-grained morocco binding with small corners signed René Aussourd at the top of the endpaper. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Title, author and date gilt. Covers preserved. Upper right corner of the front cover lacking (0.5cm). Light rubbing to boards. Very handsome copy with perfectly fresh uncut paper.
    Ex libris Paola Sanjust.
    Dialogue novel featuring a young Italian noblewoman during the Renaissance, raised as a man for succession reasons. Gabriel will be confronted with the hypocrisy of society and rebels against the abyssal difference between the rights granted to men and the oppression reserved for women. The author analyzes with irony the differences in education between girls and boys. Balzac, enthusiastic upon reading the work, did not hesitate to compare it to a Shakespeare play.

    €1,000
  62. Les métamorphoses du jour
    Jean Ignace Isidore Gérard GRANDVILLE, Louis LURINE
    Les métamorphoses du jour
    Garnier frères|Paris 1869|18.50 x 25.50 cm|relié
    New edition with some parts in first edition as revised and completed by Jules Janin for the text and expanded with numerous tailpieces and headpieces by Grandville for the illustration. A bibliography of books illustrated by Grandville/
    Later half red sheep binding (ca 1920), Jansenist spine with raised bands, small traces of rubbing on the slightly faded spine. Set of beautiful freshness, but some pale browning in the margins at the beginning of the work. The preserved cover restored with a strip of paper to be restored. Inversion of leaves at the beginning of the work, leaf 3 appearing before leaf 1.
    Handsome copy.
    Work illustrated with a frontispiece and 70 hand-colored plates outside the text as well as numerous tailpieces and headpieces. This work had previously appeared in black and white.
    Text by Louis Lurine, Charles Monselet, Albéric Second, Louis Huart...
    A notice by Charles Blanc on Grandville.

    €800
  85. La petite Dorrit
    Charles DICKENS
    La petite Dorrit
    Librairie de L. Hachette|Paris 1858|11.50 x 17.80 cm|3 volumes reliés

    First French edition, translated by William Hugues, under the direction of P. Lorrain.



    Contemporary half red shagreen binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 3 fleurons. Gilt titles and volume labels. Light traces of rubbing. Very fresh set, free from foxing except for some pale browning on the first text page of volume 1.
    A work of great darkness, Little Dorrit is the second of Dickens's three political and social novels. It is a denunciation of Victorian society obsessed with wealth and power. G. B. Shaw would judge the novel "More seditious than Karl Marx's Capital". The novel begins in Marseille. One of Dickens's great works.

    €500
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