271 - BANVILLE, Théodore de. MALASSIS, Ed.

BANVILLE, Théodore de. MALASSIS, Ed. Gringoire. Paris, Louis Conard, 1904. Small 8vo, IX-116-(2) pp., text in Gothic type printed in red, blue, and black, with generous margins. Contemporary havana morocco leather, ribbed spine, author’s name and title in gilt Gothic type, very beautiful floral decoration of thistles in a mosaic of old rose and shades of green and bronze on the covers, inner covers lined with aubergine morocco leather accented with a gilt fillet, fir-green silk endpapers, double endpapers of handmade paper, edges gilt on endpapers, cover and spine preserved, in a half-bound slipcase with bands [Noulhac]. (The slipcase is likely missing; the slipcase shows minor scuffing.) Description: A very fine copy. Illustrated with 32 compositions by Edmond Malassis, engraved in color on copper plates and color-registered by Louis Mortier. Limited edition of 171 copies, numbered and initialed by the publisher; this is no. 16, one of 20 copies on Japanese paper. With the publisher’s handwritten initials. Includes 3 delicate original watercolors by Malassis, one of which is signed, with an illuminated frame. Bound with an autograph letter signed by Victor Hugo, addressed to Théodore de Banville from Hauteville House, dated May 21 (ca. 1866); Banville had dedicated his play to the great French author upon its release in 1866. A beautiful copy, perfectly bound in a stunning Noulhac binding. This copy is enhanced with 4 prints of the cover bound at the end: in three states, each in a primary color and signed with the artist’s mark, and a polychrome print fully annotated in pencil with comments and corrections by the artist and, likely, the publisher, bearing the publisher’s monogram. Engraved ex libris monogrammed “PP.”