Paris, Victor-Harvard, 1885.
12mo [190 x 119 mm] of (2) bl.ll., (2) ll., 441 pp., (1) bl.l.
Full Jansenist green morocco, spine ribbed, green morocco doublures, gilt fillet on the doublures, double endleaves including one in satin, gilt edges, printed blue wrappers and spine bound in. Slightly faded spine. René Aussourd.
First edition of “one of Maupassant’s master-pieces” (Carteret, II, 116).
Vicaire. Manuel de l’amateur de livres du XIXe siècle, 614-615; Talvart, XIII, 254.
One of the 200 copies on Dutch paper, only large paper, untrimmed.
“200 very sought-after Dutch papers” (Clouzot. Guide du Bibliophile, 197).
“This novel was a great success and caused a scandal; Maupassant was accused of excessive pessimism. He replied that he limited himself to doing a satire of a ‘certain journalism’ and of a ‘certain Parisian political and society environment’ […]
It remains a significant work in the literary production of the time thanks to its irresistible verve and its brisk and precise style”. (Dictionnaire des Œuvres, I, 426).
The doors of high society are opened to him. Maupassant portrays successfully society life and finds his inspirations in the torments inflicted “to his poor heart’ by his feminine relations.
Now rich and owner of the “Bel Ami” yacht, he is on cruises in the Mediterranean of which he reports his travels impressions.
“’Bel Ami’ remains a significant work in the literary production of its time thanks to its irresistible verve and its brisk and precise style.”
Super copy on Dutch paper, very pure, very fresh and untrimmed, finely preserved in a doubled binding by Aussourd.
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