Honoré de Balzac, Un début dans la vie. Paris, Dumont, 1844. 2 volumes in-8, 331p & 319p. First edition and first authorized edition of the text serialized in La Législature from July 26 to September 6, 1842 under the title Le Danger des Mystifications. It differs very little from the serial text. The end of the second volume contains La fausse Maîtresse dedicated to Countess Clara Maffeï, which thus appears in a second edition, but is extremely faulty and has not been checked by Balzac. A modest copy, volume 1 in paperback, spine reinforced with cloth, original cover missing, mostly marginal dampstaining (touches the text on a dozen leaves). Volume 2 in hardback, seams loose. Rousseurs. Untrimmed copy. Rare and precious first edition (Dirkx).

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