50 - BAC (Ferdinand).

BAC (Ferdinand). Memories of Compiègne. Second Empire. [Compiègne], [Published by the author], 1946. Small quarto, paperback, printed cover. A rare edition featuring a portrait of Empress Eugénie. Non-commercial copy no. 245/500 on 1912 vellum paper, produced for the author (handwritten print run notation in red ink) and enhanced with: - a beautiful graphite portrait of Napoleon III on the half-title page, with a handwritten dedication from the author to Mr. Gilson: “in memory of the survivor and of radio, which brings things back to life! [...]” - an autograph letter from F. Bac addressed to Mr. Gilson, Compiègne, Nov. 14, 1849 (on the reverse of an engraved illustration by F. Bac), noting the remarks of Mérimée and Maxime Ducamp regarding Gaspar Hauser and spiritualism, with a pencil portrait of Mérimée at the bottom of the page reading “Mérimée as I saw him.” - An autograph note signed by Bac in red ink at the bottom of the engraved portrait of the Empress: “Eugénie de Montijo, having wished to be depicted solely as she appeared at age 25, I complied with this command of her coquetry.” Enclosed is a second copy of the same work, from the same source: Non-commercial copy No. 172/500 on vellum paper, 1912 (handwritten print run notation in blue ink), and enhanced with: - a beautiful pencil portrait of Napoleon III on the half-title page, with a personal dedication from the author to Mr. Gilson: “Director of Broadcasting, in homage and memory of the survivor [...]” - an autograph letter from F. Bac addressed to Mr. Gilson, Compiègne, Nov. 8, 1948 (1 p., in-8, with an engraved illustration by F. Bac on the other leaf), regarding a proposed radio program in which F. Bac (then in his nineties) recounts his illustrious encounters and memories. Some wear.