52 - BUGUET, Henry, and CHOUBRAC, Alfred. *L'Esprit des enfants*. Compiled by Henri Buguet. Illustrated by Choubrac.

BUGUET, Henry, and CHOUBRAC, Alfred. *L'Esprit des enfants*. Compiled by Henri Buguet. Illustrated by Choubrac. First edition illustrated by Alfred Choubrac. This copy is enhanced by two autograph prefaces signed by François Coppée and Victorien Sardou, which were used for the printing, and a dedication from Ferdinand de Lesseps to the author on a loose leaf. Paris, Alphonse Piaget, n.d. [1886]. In-8 (160 x 230 mm) in Bradel binding, turquoise blue half-percaline with corner pieces, smooth spine adorned with the title in gold lettering running lengthwise, all edges gilt, color covers preserved. 132 pages; frontispiece featuring a portrait of Ferdinand de Lesseps and his many children; title page illustrated in black; numerous out-of-text illustrations and vignettes within the text. Headbands and corners slightly rubbed; spine slightly loose. First edition of this amusing collection of witticisms, quips, retorts, anecdotes, poems, tales, and short stories paying homage to the spirit of childhood, compiled by Henry Buguet and illustrated with charming black-and-white drawings by Alfred Choubrac. Dedicated to the children of Ferdinand de Lesseps, it contains prefaces by François Coppée and Victorien Sardou; François Coppée’s preface takes the form of the following quatrain: “This book, crafted with clever scissors, is the charming and innocent genius of youth. Let us listen to the children’s sweet chatter, just as we listen to the birds chirping in the woods.” A copy that likely belonged to the author, to which are attached: - the two autograph prefaces signed by François Coppée and Victorien Sardou, which were used for printing (2 leaves, in-12) - the loose title page from *Souvenirs de quarante ans*, featuring an autographed dedication by Ferdinand de Lesseps to Henri Buguet (1 page, large in-8, 1887 edition) - the program for *Jocrisse vivra toujours*, a parade by Henri Buguet performed at the Théâtre de Galimafré on May 26, 1886, featuring a reproduction of an introduction recited by Réjane (1 folio in-4, cut in half). A fine copy, superbly enriched.