180 - LEROUX, Auguste, and LECONTE DE LISLE, Charles. *Les Érinnyes*. Color illustrations by Auguste Leroux.

LEROUX, Auguste, and LECONTE DE LISLE, Charles. *Les Érinnyes*. Color illustrations by Auguste Leroux. A superb bibliophile edition sponsored by Charles Meunier, printed on Japanese paper and illustrated by Auguste Leroux. A copy from the bibliophile Félix Leseur, enriched with several documents related to the publication, including a note signed by Charles Meunier. Paris, Société des Amis du Livre Moderne, 1912. In-4 (275 x 210 mm), loose-leaf, three-tone illustrated covers, publisher’s slipcase with flaps in brick-red half-percale and covers in bronze-embossed paper. 78 pp., 3 color etchings as inserts with serpentine borders, 74 headpieces (each repeated twice, for a total of 37 different designs), vignettes and tailpieces, and decorative borders on every page. Minimal wear at the top and bottom edges, slight wear on the slipcase, tears in the slipcase flaps, and missing laces. A luxurious edition of this verse tragedy by Leconte de Lisle, published under the direction of Charles Meunier. It is illustrated with numerous works by Auguste Leroux (1871–1954), including 3 color etchings as inserts and 37 headpieces repeated twice. While the framing illustrations celebrate a classical rigor that is thoroughly “Hellenic,” the color etchings lean toward a far more modern Symbolist sensibility. Strictly limited to 150 numbered copies on Japanese paper, this is one of the first 125 copies reserved for members of the Société des Amis du Livre Moderne (No. 51), printed for Félix Leseur (1861–1950), a prominent socialite, influential journalist of the Belle Époque, and eminent bibliophile. The copy is complete with a four-tone breakdown of one of the framing plates (p. 77) and the illustrated menu from the gala dinner hosted by the Society to celebrate the publication of this edition. It is further enriched by various documents from the Society of Friends of the Modern Book addressed to Félix Leseur: - an autographed note signed by Charles Meunier: “I am pleased to send you our place card in accordance with the wish you expressed.” (1 page, in-8 format, on light blue paper, with printed letterhead on the reverse, with envelope) - an illustrated card featuring a composition by Auguste Leroux addressed to Félix Leseur - two printed letters accompanied by reply slips (double-sheet in-8 on light blue paper with letterhead): the announcement of the dinner on April 19, 1913, to celebrate the publication of *Les Erinyes*, and the announcement that a copy would be sent via the Blaizot bookstore. A fine copy.