BALZAC (Honoré de). A street in Paris and its... Lot 449

BALZAC (Honoré de). A street in Paris and its inhabitant. Foreword by M. le Vte de Spoelberch de Lovenjoul. Paris: Librairie A. Rouquette, 1899. - In-8, 253 x 159 : (2 ff.), IV pp. miscalculated VI, 32 pp, (2 ff. last blank), illustrated cover. Long-grained dark blue morocco, double framed with two gilt fillets and gilt rocaille motifs on the boards, spine decorated with nerfs, large gilt border inside, gilt edges, cover and spine preserved, case (Chambolle-Duru). First separate edition of this short story by Balzac, illustrated with 33 colour compositions by François COURBOIN (1865-1926), including one on the title, one at the head of each chapter, 8 lettrines, 6 culs-de-lampe and 17 vignettes in the text. Copy on vellum paper, not sold, printed in addition to the 125 numbered copies, including an original watercolour signed by the artist on the false title and a suite of illustrations on vellum. It has been enriched with a greeting card from the bookseller Charles Bosse in double state, illustrated by François Courboin. A very fine copy bound by Chambolle-Duru. Spine slightly faded.