Honoré de Balzac, The Country Doctor. Paris, L.... Lot 20

Honoré de Balzac, The Country Doctor. Paris, L. Mame-Delaunay, February & July 1833. In-8, 360p & 326-[8]p. First edition of this novel published without author's name, although the title bears the epigraph "Aux coeurs blessés, l'ombre et le silence. [de Balzac]". Released on September 3, 1833, the volumes are dated "February 1833" and "September 1833". At least one copy bears the dates "janvier 1833" and "juillet 1833". The vignette depicting Christ on the title pages comes from the Balzac imprimeur collection. Stamped, trimmed, moth-eaten covers, title label printed only on volume 2. However, the copies are probably unbound (hence the trimmed pages). However, the covers appear to be quite old, and the irregular spacing of the nerves is typical of early 20th-century bindings. We therefore believe that the copy was bound in pamphlet form at a late date and subsequently unbound. Some foxing, page edges a little browned. A sought-after work.