148 - RIMBAUD (Arthur). *Les Illuminations*. Introduction by Paul Verlaine. Paris, Publications de la Vogue, 1886. In-8, Bradel half-maroquin in garnet, smooth spine with a lengthwise decoration bearing the title in gold, corners intact, completely untrimmed, cover in fair condition. (Canape).

RIMBAUD (Arthur). *Les Illuminations*. Introduction by Paul Verlaine. Paris, Publications de la Vogue, 1886. In-8, Bradel half-maroquin in garnet, smooth spine with a lengthwise decoration bearing the title in gold, corners intact, completely untrimmed, cover in fair condition. (Canape). FIRST EDITION of this seminal work by Rimbaud, printed in a run of 200 copies (Dutch paper, numbered). This collection of 46 poems in prose and verse was published by Gustave Kahn and Félix Fénéon while Rimbaud was in Abyssinia. Already, a few months earlier, the editors of *La Vogue* had printed several of these *Illuminations* in their magazine. The beautiful preface is by Verlaine, who had introduced some of Rimbaud’s finest poems through his book *Les Poètes maudits* (1884): “At sixteen, he [Rimbaud] had written the most beautiful verses in the world […]. He is now thirty-two years old and traveling in Asia, where he is engaged in artistic work. [...] He has been reported dead several times. We are unaware of this detail, but would be very saddened by it. Let him know this in case it is not true. For we were his friend and remain so from afar.” A copy in a contemporary binding, featuring the extremely fragile salmon-red cover in perfect condition—which is exceptional. Two portraits of the author have been added.