MAUPASSANT (Guy de). Reunion of two works in 2... Lot 279

MAUPASSANT (Guy de). Reunion of two works in 2 vols. in-18 identically bound, half havana morocco in the Bradel style and with corners, author, title and date gilt on the spine, gilt head, covers preserved [Thierry successor of Petit-Simier] (negligible rubbing to the corners and headpieces). 1. Bel-ami. Paris, Victor-Havard, 1885. In-18, [2] f., 441 p. (without the last blank page). First edition. "Bel-Ami first appeared as a separate edition of the serial in the newspaper Gil Blas []. Victor Havard's edition is no less the true first edition of this novel considered one of Guy de Maupassant's masterpieces" (Carteret, II, 116, gives an in-12 format). Copy enriched with an autograph letter signed by Maupassant (3 pages in-8°), without place (41 blvd Victor Hugo), without date, addressed to a friend, most certainly the publisher Victor Havard. He promises to send him the proofs of La Maison Tellier in two or three days, mentions an exchange with the illustrator Jeanniot about Bel-Ami, complains about his eye problems and the influenza from which he suffers; in a postscript, he evokes the episode of spectators having been refused access to the theatre by Musotte, and asks his correspondent to warn Normand that he will write to him shortly. Provenance: Eugène Lazare Richtenberger (1856-1920), art critic (sale 1921, n°413; engraved bookplate). 2. Pierre et Jean. Paris, Ollendorff, 1888. In-18, [2] f., XXXV-277 p. (margins browned, without the last blank page). First edition (Carteret II, 119-120, wrong format). Copy enriched with an autograph letter signed by Maupassant (3 pages in-8°), from Aix-les-Bains, [1890?], addressed to a friend. He indicates that he is attaching to his letter an authorization to dispose of his apartment, and then complains about a theatre director (Derenbourg-Singer?) who would have illegally become the owner of the rights of the play taken from his novel; he wishes for a solution to this affair in order to fulfil his commitment "towards Marceau". He complains of health problems, thinking that the climate is the cause, and proposes to "look for a place in Algeria where I will settle for the winters, probably Biskra". He regrets nevertheless this project of displacement, which will prevent him from attending the inauguration of the monument to Flaubert on October 19th (this monument will be inaugurated in Rouen in November 1890 and Maupassant had invested himself in this project). Provenance: Eugène Lazare Richtenberger (1856-1920), art critic (sale 1921, n°422; engraved bookplate). That is to say 2 volumes.