La Pléiade. Ballades Fabliaux Nouvelles et Légendes
1842ref. 79026Paris: Léon Curmer 1842. Fine. Léon Curmer Paris 1842 13.50 x 20.50 cm 10 livraisons en 8 volumes brochés sous chemise et étui First printing of this important Romantic publication issued in 10 parts in 8 volumes. Literary contributions by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann ""Le conseiller Krespel"" Charles Dickens ""Le baron de Grogzwig"" Matthias Emmich ""Geneviève de Brabant"" Sâvitrî ""Episode du Mahabharata"" Homer ""Le combat des rats et des grenouilles"" Gottfried August Bürger ""Lénore"" Paul Gavarni ""Madame Acker"" Marie de France ""Lai des deux amants"" and ""Lai du Bisclaveret"" Ludwig Tieck ""La réconciliation"" Henri Blaze ""Rosemonde"" correctly containing 34 pages which identifies the first printing as opposed to the second which contains only 24. This collection is illustrated with 10 frontispieces drawn and etched by Penguilly Jacque Trimolet Jeanron Féart and Daubigny as well as 62 in-text engravings including 57 woodcuts and 5 etchings by Louis Soyer Lavieille Guilbaut. Our copy is complete with the plate not listed in the table for Sâvitrî and the vignettes for ""Rosemonde"" and ""Madame Acker"" which are sometimes lacking. Handsome copy in green part wrappers to which we add the general cover. The whole is presented in a half blue long-grain morocco chemise spine with four raised bands set with gilt garlands enriched with red mosaic morocco pieces spine also decorated with gilt quadruple compartments embellished with red mosaic morocco pieces gilt date at foot marbled paper boards pebbled paper endpapers and pastedowns slipcase with blue morocco borders marbled paper boards pebbled paper interior signed G. Mercier and dated 1923. Three bookplates pasted on the pastedown including that of Maurice Robert. One joint of the chemise and slipcase slightly rubbed at foot small marginal tears on some green covers. Rare and handsome copy of this work one of the most important of the 19th century according to Carteret. Léon Curmer hardcover
