Dumas d. Jüngere - L'homme-femme

Dumas the Younger, Alexandre. L'homme-femme. Reponse a M. Henri d'Ideville. Paris, Lévy frères, 1872. 2 leaves, 177 pp. Gr.-8°. Beautiful red marocco binding with linear, gilt-stamped cover fillets, gilt spine, gilt-stamped spine title and wide, gilt-stamped inner edges and full gilt edges (front cover slightly rubbed and slightly stained) - Rare, one of a total of 31 numbered copies (25 on Holland, 5 on China and 1 on Vélin), here 'No 5' on Holland paper. With handwritten dedication and signature by Alexandre Dumas the Younger on front cover 'hommage d'un livre qui ne ... offerte qu'à une homile femme' - The illegitimate son of Alexandre Dumas and author of 'The Lady of the Camellias' deals with women's rights, the mistakes of legislation and social views and coined the word 'feminist'. The work sparked fierce controversy in Europe and became a bestseller, selling 50,000 copies in three weeks. The 'normal edition' was published in duodecimal format. In general, Dumas saw life 'as a struggle between the woman and the man', but he respected what women could become and supported talented young ladies.- Wide margins.- Few leaves with faint crease or small brown spot in the wide, white outer margin.