BALZAC (Honoré de). La Peau de chagrin, philosophical... Lot 17

BALZAC (Honoré de). La Peau de chagrin, philosophical novel. Paris : Charles Gosselin, Urbain Canel, 1831. - 2 volumes in one in-8, half olive green bradel cloth, smooth spine, speckled edges (contemporary binding). First edition of one of Balzac's most important novels. "It is the typical work of the beginnings of a genius in the process of discovering himself, and which throws its riches in profusion (...) Balzac shows in it a less total mastery than in his later works, it has been said. But it is because he has drunkenly thrown into it all the elements of his philosophical and critical, descriptive and fantastic, realistic and poetic genius" (Pierre Citron, "Introduction to La Peau de chagrin", GF-Flammarion 1971). It is also from this work that Balzac becomes M. de Balzac. The edition is illustrated with two woodcut frontispieces by Porret after Tony Johannot. A copy in a modest, slightly later binding. Corners dulled, edges of boards worn and slight wear to the headpieces. Good condition inside despite scattered foxing.