Kock,C.P.De.

Novels, Tales, Vaudevilles, Reminiscences and Life. Edmond and his Cousin etc. Introd. by J. Claretie. Translated into English by Edith Mary Norris. Boston, Paris, London: The Frederick J. Quinby Company "Printed only for Subscribers" [1904]. 23.5 x 16 cm. With 3 original etchings (1 in colors) and 4 photogravures on plates, each signed and unsigned. In signed and unsigned condition, and ╔2 original pen and ink drawings in the text by William Glackens.╗ Title and book decoration in watercolor pen and ink drawing, partly heightened in gold and silver. 4 pp., 280 pp. Printed on laid paper with watermarks specially made for this edition. ╔Sign. Master binding by "Harcourt Bindery", Boston (MA):╗ Green marocco with Art Nouveau gilding and colored leather inlays with lily motifs, spine with three strong bands; doublure and endpapers covered in red marocco, with inlaid gilding of tulip motifs; gilt top edge, otherwise untrimmed. In half leather slipcase. (Spine faded, minimal cover damage. The first few leaves somewhat finger-stained, margins partly slightly browned). Ex. "E" of 26 copies. - Vol. XX of the Romainville Edition. - One of the few copies of the bibliophile special edition of the works of Ch.-P. de Kock in English translation. The normal edition in 50 volumes was published by the same publisher. The VA was also planned for 50 volumes, but apparently only half of these were published. The volumes are extremely elaborately designed by various artists and printed on specially produced laid paper. - A magnificent example of Art Nouveau binding in the United States. The Harcourt Bindery was founded in Boston in 1900 and still exists today under a different name.