96 - CHAMPFLEURY [pseudonym of HUSSON, Jules François Félix]. Balzac. His Working Method. A Study Based on His Manuscripts.

CHAMPFLEURY [pseudonym of HUSSON, Jules François Félix]. Balzac. His Working Method. A Study Based on His Manuscripts. Paris, A. Patay, 1879. In-8, fawn-colored half-shagreen with cold-stamped edging, spine with gold-threaded raised bands and cold-stamped borders, gilt fleurons between the bands, black title label, original covers preserved, untrimmed (modern binding). 31 pages, one folding plate as a frontispiece (handwritten facsimile). Minor brown marks on the leather, slight foxing, and a repaired tear in the margin of the plate. Original and unique edition printed in a run of 400 copies on laid paper. A meticulous study by Champfleury of Balzac’s working method, which relied on a frenetic writing process, sleepless nights, massive consumption of coffee, and endless corrections and revisions of his manuscripts. The book draws directly on the analysis of manuscripts and corrected galley proofs, a large fold-out facsimile of which appears as the frontispiece. A pleasant copy.