153 - SALIS (Rodolphe). Tales of the Black Cat (I: Winter. Preface by Ph. Gille. Prologue by A. Willette. — II: Spring. Preface by Francisque Sarcey). Paris, Libr. illustrée, n.d. (1888–91). 2 vols., in-8, Bradel half-leather, black, corner pieces, untrimmed, illustrated cover and spine in good condition.

SALIS (Rodolphe). Tales of the Black Cat (I: Winter. Preface by Ph. Gille. Prologue by A. Willette. — II: Spring. Preface by Francisque Sarcey). Paris, Libr. illustrée, n.d. (1888–91). 2 vols., in-8, Bradel half-leather, black, corner pieces, untrimmed, illustrated cover and spine in good condition. FIRST EDITION of the only two volumes published out of the four planned. This is a collection in volumes of the tales that Rodolphe Salis (1851–1897), the famous cabaret owner who founded the equally famous cabaret Le Chat Noir in 1885, had published every Sunday beginning in 1882 in his newspaper Le Chat Noir. These two volumes contain a total of 34 tales written in “old language,” using Rabelaisian spelling, in the style of Balzac’s *Contes drôlatiques*. Each volume is illustrated with a beautiful full-color cover by George Auriol, as well as numerous illustrations within the text and full-page illustrations by Adolphe Willette, Loÿs, Henri Rivière, Henri Pille, Henry Somm, Albert Robida, Fernand Fau, Steinlen, Sabattier, St-Maurice, George Auriol, Roedel, Vincent, Uzès, and Heidbrinck. A fine copy enriched with 7 signed letters, cards, or receipts from Rodolphe Salis to Aristide Bruant and Rops