GRACQ (Julien).

La Littérature à l'estomac. Paris, José Corti, 1950. In-16, bronze calf, oval piece of ochre snake mosaic on the boards and spine, author's name and title in black and ivory morocco letters mosaic on the circumference of the snake piece, except for the preposition "à" of the title, mosaic on a circular piece of bronze calf in the centre, smooth mute spine, pale beige suede lining and endpapers, gilt edges on witnesses, cover and spine, folder and slipcase sheathed in the same bronze calf (A. Devauchelle, 1998). First edition. One of 40 copies on Lafuma paper, the only large paper. A famous pamphlet against French literary mores, the Parisian milieu, literary prizes, the race for fame and career, La Littérature à l'estomac first appeared in the review Empédocle, and then, the following month, in volume form with José Corti. It was reprinted in the collection Préférences in 1961. Ironically, the following year, the jury of the Prix Goncourt named Julien Gracq as the winner for Le Rivage des Syrtes; Gracq, in all consistency, immediately refused the prize, creating a sensation in the press. A very fine copy in a fine bronze calf binding with snake mosaic signed by Alain Devauchelle.