Description

First edition. 351 pp. ONE OF ONLY 30 NUMBERED COPIES OF THE FIRST EDITION ON IMPERIAL JAPANESE PAPER, signed in the justification by Jean de la Hire. Illustrated throughout by Auguste Leymarie. Laid in is a highly literary autograph letter (mentioning Balzac and René Benjamin) from Hirsch to his friend Alfred Vallette, presumably the first owner of this volume. Illustrated bookplate of Jacques Crépineau on front pastedown. 8vo. Bound in three-quarters cloth and marbled boards (E. Carayon, signed). EACH OF THE WRAPPERS (the regular one and the one exclusive to copies on Japanese paper) IS PRESERVED IN ONE PIECE. This is especially important for the regular wrapper, which is illustrated with a beautiful color composition. ENTIRELY UNCUT. Tiny traces of wear to binding, else FINE AND BRIGHT, WITH NO DEFECTS.