L'ABBÉ CONSTANTIN
Paris: Boussod, Valadon & Co., 1887. Madeleine Lemaire. First Edition. Hardcover. Quarto (10" x 12-3/4") beautifully bound in full dark green morocco leather with many variously colored morocco onlays and gilt decorations on both covers and the spine which has five raised bands; full gilt-decorated pastedowns with small leather onlays; silk and marbled endpapers; top edge in marbled gilt. The decorations include the title on a banner, various floral decorations with small birds, and the French and American flags. Illustrated with 18 etched compositions by Madeleine Lemaire. Of a total edition of 250 copies, this is #92 of 200 on japon with 3 versions of the illustrations including suites in camaïeu on Whatman paper and in bistre on Japon. This social comedy was first published in 1882. It was adapted to the theater by Pierre Decourcelle and Hector Crémieux in 1887, and was twice adapted to film by Julien Duvivier (1925) and Jean-Paul Paulin (1933). Tipped to the verso of a front blank is a one-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED by the author. Armorial bookplate on a front blank. Recently and neatly rebacked retaining the original spine. Minor wear. Near Fine in a lovely binding. Item #020758
Price: $1,500.00