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Lot n° 87

BALZAC (Honoré de) and MALASSIS (Edmond). La Belle...

Estimate :
1 000 - 1 500 EUR

BALZAC (Honoré de) and MALASSIS (Edmond). La Belle Impéria. Conte drôlatique. Illustrations by E. Malassis. A remarkable copy of this edition illustrated by the painter Edmond Malassis (1874-1940), in an elegant binding by Noulhac, adorned with two fine incised leathers, one signed Gustave Guétant, depicting the heroine in gold and color. Paris, Louis Conrad, 1903. In-8 (180x260 mm), blue morocco, ribbed spine framed with cold-stamped fillets extending over the boards, first cover decorated with a large incised leather depicting the heroine in gold and color, signed by Gustave Guétant and dated 1907, incised lettering in the center of the second plate, inner border in the same morocco set with a set of gilded fillets, burgundy moire lining and endpapers, gilded edges on witnesses, parchment covers preserved, case (Noulhac). 41 pages, 30 woodcuts and copper engravings by Edmond Malassis, most colored and some enhanced with gold. Slight rubbing to some nerves and feet. First separate edition of this tale from Balzac's famous collection, decorated with 30 compositions by the painter Edmond Malassis (1874-1940), including 3 hors-texte and numerous headpieces, lettrines, in-text and culs-de-lampe. 15 compositions were etched in copper and printed in color, and 15 woodcuts (7 in color). Edition printed by the Imprimerie Nationale at 170 copies numbered and initialed by the publisher, this being one of 150 on wove paper (N°164). Admirable binding signed by Henri Noulhac (1866-1931), embellished with beautiful incised leather by French designer and sculptor Gustave Guétant (1873-1953).

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