BARBEY D'AUREVILLY (Léon)

MOMUS NORMAND (Le), literary collection. Caen, Chalopin, 1832-1833. Together 17 (of 18) in-8 issues, stapled, in two modern dark green half-chagrin folders and slipcase. Almost complete collection of the Momus normand, comprising 17 of the 18 issues published from January 1832 to June 1833 (Frère, Manuel du bibliographe normand, I, p. 55 - Vicaire, I, col. 309). Founded by Alexandre-Auguste de Berruyer and Léon Barbey d'Aurevilly, younger brother of the Connétable des lettres, this literary collection brings together various pieces in verse and prose, as well as songs. Because it attacked the July government and its "juste milieu" policy with bloody irony, the journal won the material and moral support of the young director's father. The son of a Chouan, and regretting not having been able to "chouan" at the first "chouannerie", Mr. Barbey paid part of the printing costs of the militant journal, which was beginning a campaign against the regime he detested. In the absence of bullets, he made do with Gutenberg's molten lead. And he applauded the energetic efforts of the two young polemicists (Lavalley, Catalogue des ouvrages normands..., pp. 366-368). Several texts by Léon Barbey d'Aurevilly were published in this collection: Ode à un enfant, Iambes en réponse à ceux de M. Auguste Barbier, Le Coin du feu, Le Carnaval politique, Une Petite police, Le Bonheur de la prison, La Neige tombe, etc. Missing issue no. 10 of 1832. Fascicule n°3 of 1832, almost unbound, seems incomplete from the end (pp. 120-128) and lacks its cover. Some foxing. Extensive dampstaining and wine-red stains on issue no. 8. Missing half the covers of issues no. 2 and 5 of 1833. Very rare: of the 2 copies we were able to find in Norman libraries (Caen and Alençon), only the one in Alençon is listed as complete. Enclosed: 18 et 19 mai 1833, ou Procès de M. Léon d'Aurevilly, rédacteur en chef du Momus Normand; et Compte rendu du banquet qui lui a été offert par les jeunes gens de la ville de Caen. Caen, Chalopin, 1833. In-8, 46 pp. (with page skip without missing from p. 14 to 17), paperback. First edition. Booklet relating to the lawsuit brought against Léon Barbey d'Aurevilly, following publication of his ode protesting the arrest of the Duchess of Berry, for which he was acquitted.