Mon Amie Nane. Édition ornée de gravures sur bois originales de Carlègle. Paris: Chez l'Imprimeur Léon Pichon, 1925.
Limited edition, one of only 25 copies containing a double suite of proofs of the wood engravings.
Folio. (260 x 185 mm.) 199, [6] pp., including table of contents at end. With 18 wood engravings by Carlègle in color, each accompanied by two additional proofs, one printed on vergé ancien du Japon and the other on chine, and 14 woodcut tailpieces. Beautifully bound in a custom Art-Deco binding of maroon morocco, morocco onlay to front cover reproducing the Aphrodite woodcut, title lettered in gilt to spine with small floral morocco onlay; top edges gilt, others uncut. One proof detached but present with some light soiling, one with faint even strip of dampstaining to fore-edge , another with a small tear at edge, despite these minor detractions, a superb copy.
The bittersweet portrait of a courtesan in Belle-Epoque era France, it is told from the point of view of her lover, from their first encounter to their eventual separation. At times humorous, at others melancholy, the novel's symbolism and erotic overtones are ever present.
First printed in 1905, this is the first edition to contain the stunning wood engravings by French artist Carlègle [Charles Emile Egli] (1877-1936). An illustrator for a number of French satirical newspapers including La Vie Parisienne, l'Assiette au Beurre and Le Rire, as well as the extremely popular l'Illustration, he also provided illustrations for the works of numerous French writers, including Verlaine, Diderot, La Fontaine and Ronsard to name but a few.
Toulet (1867-1920) was a French poet, novelist, and leader/inspiration for the Fantaisistes circle of poets, which included Pellerin, Bernard and Carco. Known during his lifetime primarily for his novels and short stories, he did not gain fame for his poetry during his lifetime, as the majority was published posthumously. He is best know for his works describing La Vie Parisienne, including the present book.
ID:
7411
$
1,500