4 - CAZE (Robert).

CAZE (Robert). Women. Grandmother. Paris: Tresse & Stock, 1886. — In-18, 191 x 122: (4 blank folios at the beginning), 347 pp., (1 blank folio), printed cover. Red Bradel-style cloth, smooth spine, untrimmed, original cover intact, slipcase (Pierson). First edition, dedicated to Edmond de Goncourt, of this novel recounting the fate of Amélie, a woman of the people whose entire life consists of work, hardship, and sacrifices for her family. The book was published just five days before the author’s death on March 28, 1886, at the age of thirty-three, following a duel with Charles Vignier. A precious signed copy, one of 10 on Holland paper (no. 3), bearing this note in red ink in Edmond de Goncourt’s own hand on the first endpaper: “This book, dedicated to me by Robert Caze as he was dying from a stupid sword wound, was brought to me by a friend of the poor fellow whom he had asked to apologize to me on his behalf for not having written anything in the book… because he no longer had the strength to do so. It was the day before his death. Edmond de Goncourt.” The copy then entered the collection of André Breton, and later that of Edmond Bomsel, a bibliophile, art collector, and director of Éditions du Sagittaire. As Claude Simon’s first publisher and a patron of several Surrealists and numerous artists, Bomsel notably financed the opening of André Breton’s Gradiva Gallery in 1937. Arsène Bonafous-Murat served as his private secretary and was tasked with cataloging his library in the 1960s. This copy is enhanced by two very interesting letters: - The first is an autograph letter signed by Robert Caze addressed to the writer Henry Fouquier, 2 pages in oblong in-12 format, dated October 9, 1883. In it, he thanks his correspondent for his “masterful study of my little book” and mentions projects that, alas, never came to fruition: “I do not wish to write exclusively about girls. Two more volumes, and I will tackle—if God grants me life—Women, Men, and Children. I am thirty years old. I may yet live long enough to complete this work. ” - The second is an autographed, signed letter from the publisher P.-V. Stock, dated February 3, 1935, and addressed to Mr. Laize, in which he makes this revelation: “Since you are fortunate enough to own Robert Caze’s book, *Grand’mère*, and, as it happens, the copy on Holland paper that was given to Ed. de Goncourt—to whom this novel is dedicated—I am very happy to provide you, as you requested, with confirmation that the ‘young man who personally delivered’ that copy to Goncourt was me. What Goncourt says about this incident in his Journal and in the handwritten note attached to the copy—which you have brought to my attention—is accurate.” Also enclosed is a handwritten copy of the passage from the Goncourt Journal concerning this work, mentioned by Stock in his letter; a two-and-a-half-page typewritten excerpt from P.-V. Stock’s *Memorandum of a Publisher*, concerning the book and the circumstances of the author’s death; and the personal correspondent’s card from the *Journal du Globe* in the name of Robert Caze, signed by Caze and by the newspaper’s editor, Vilbort. A fine copy bound for Edmond de Goncourt by Pierson. Spine worn. Provenance: Edmond de Goncourt, with autograph note and bookplate (April 1897 auction, lot 204). - Laize, according to Stock’s letter. - André Breton, with bookplate. - Henri J. Donon-Maigret, with bookplate. - Edmond Bomsel, with bookplate (etched by Alberto Giacometti in 1961. Kornfeld 346).