"Honoré de BALZAC - La belle Impéria Printed for Charles Meunier in Paris, 1913 - A splendid copy of this magnificent publication by the art bookbinder Charles Meunier. Printed in an edition of only 40 numbered copies, this is one of the extremely rare 12 de luxe copies on Japon impérial containing an original ORIGINAL AQUARELLE signed by Robida and featuring IMPORTANT BINDINGS by Charles Meunier. Bound in full havana morocco, each cover is decorated with magnificent incised, tinted and inlaid leather. The first cover features a superb portrait of La Belle Impéria surrounded by foliage decorations on a luminous gilded background, noting the devil's head below and its symbolism. The second plate features a portrait of the monk Philippe, surrounded by the same foliage decorations, as well as Amaryllis, presumably chosen for their symbolism. Spine decorated with a mosaic fleuron, bound in a tan morocco spine folder and matching lined slipcase. Counterfolds with borders in the same morocco, triple framed with gilded fillets and angular fleurons. EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION; The copy includes 5 ETATS etchings and frames by Robida and not 3 états as indicated in the justification, so it counts: the état completed with the text and bound at the end: - pure etching - one state in sepia with remarks - one state in black before the letter - a black state with ombré background on chine. The book's subscription form has been mitered at the end. Robida's output, vast as it is, has rarely been so well imbued with the illustrated work, in this case Balzac's ferocious satirical tale from the Contes drolatiques. In-folio, 38pp + suites. Provenance: E. Bruell with curious Ex-Libris with the mottos "La pazzia regina del mondo" and "l'éloge de la biblio folie". Other provenance: Edouard Loewengard (nominative copy)".