141 - DORGELÈS (Roland) and LALAU (Maurice). *Le Réveil des morts*.

DORGELÈS (Roland) and LALAU (Maurice). *Le Réveil des morts*. An exceptional copy printed on Japanese paper, featuring two versions of the illustrations and enriched with 62 original drawings and sketches by Maurice Lalau, several additional versions of engravings, numerous specimens, and seven autograph letters signed by Roland Dorgelès, Maurice Lalau, and the publisher. Paris, Les Heures claires, 1948. 2 in-4 volumes (240x290 mm), the first volume in dark brown morocco leather, with decoration on the covers and running down the spine consisting of triple blind-stamped fillets that intersect to form a pattern of squares, with sets of five gold fillets intersecting at the top and bottom, inner border of the same morocco adorned with five gold fillets intersecting at the corners, red faille lining and endpapers, double endpapers, gilt head, untrimmed, covers and spine, bordered slipcase (Yseux Sr de Simier). Second volume in brown half-maroquin with corners edged with a gold fillet, smooth spine decorated with blind-stamped and gold fillets, gilt head on endpapers, edged slipcase (Yseux Sr de Simier). 281 pages and 4 folios bound in-fine, 35 color illustrations by Maurice Lalau, woodcuts by Gilbert Poilliot, including 1 frontispiece. Spine very slightly faded. A beautiful edition of this novel by Roland Dorgelès (1885–1973), recounting the people’s difficult return to normal life and the reconstruction of a devastated Picardy in the aftermath of the Great War. It is illustrated with 35 color compositions by Maurice Lalau, woodcuts by Gilbert Poilliot. Limited edition of 301 copies; this is one of 12 copies on Japon Moirans paper (No. 6), including an original out-of-text drawing, a black-and-white set of all the illustrations, a color set of the out-of-text illustrations, and breakdowns of certain color plates. A unique copy, enriched with 62 original drawings and sketches by Maurice Lalau, several additional states of engravings, and numerous specimens—most of which are annotated, signed, or monogrammed—all mounted on tabs, with the majority preserved in a separate volume. It is further enriched with several signed autograph letters: - 2 autograph letters from Maurice Lalau to Léon Michel (120 x 220 mm each), one of which highlights the uniqueness of this copy: “You have here a copy that few admirers of Dorgelès could rival. It is unique in every respect.” - A typewritten letter from Roland Dorgelès, complimenting Maurice Lalau on his illustrations (1 folio, in-4): “I was very pleased to finally see the illustrations you created for *Le Réveil des Morts*.” - Four letters exchanged between Maurice Lalau, Éditions Gasnier, and Éditions Les Heures Claires, to discuss the book’s publication, including 3 typewritten letters bearing the publishers’ letterhead and one handwritten letter signed with the monogram “M.L.” addressed to Mr. Gasnier and dated February 12, 1946. From the library of Léon Michel, with his bookplate on the half-title page. A valuable copy, offering a unique glimpse into Maurice Lalau’s work on this superb illustration.