[ORIGINAL EDITION] Alphonse KARR - The Shortest Way Gosselin et Werdet, Paris, 1836 - A very fine copy of the rare first edition of this work, handsomely illustrated with several charming unsigned vignettes, and complete with its handsome engraved frontispiece depicting the bay of Etretat. Very handsome period bindings in full romantic calfskin, spines with 4 nicely ornamented nerves and boards decorated in cold with Thouvenin-style rosette motifs, gilt edges and gilt motifs on the edges, gilt lace borders on the counterplates. Very good condition, some light rubbing. The interior is very fresh and almost free of foxing. A facsimile page of a letter from Jules Janin in the second volume is accompanied by an amusing proposal from the author: "I promise the person who deciphers this letter a magnificent bouquet from my garden [...] my excellent friend J. Janin is not excluded from the competition". Stamp of the Bohaire universal bookshop. In-8, 339p, 365p (2)