Paris, Calmann Lévy, 1888.
Large 8vo [200 x 135 mm] with (5) pref. ll. including the portrait of the author in triplicate, 93 pp., (1) p., (1) l., 7 full-page engravings in double state and 2 in triplicate. Full blue morocco, triple gilt fillet around the covers, richly decorated spine ribbed, gilt over untrimmed edges, original wrappers and spine bound in. Binding signed by Chambolle-Duru.
Superb deluxe edition of this short novel by George Sand.
Limited edition to 225 numbered copies on Marais vellum paper, this one bearing the number 10.
The story is about the Marquise de R., an attractive young woman who is wounded by an unhappy marriage but who soon discovers a devouring and platonic passion for Lélio, a humble actor of unknown talent.
Alas, we soon discover that the beautiful woman is only in love with a shadow, since, as soon as he is stripped of his finery and taken off the stage, Lélio turns out to be a vile and ordinary man.
The abundant illustration comprises a portrait of the author engraved by François Courboin (1865-1926) after Thomas Couture (1815-1879), as well as 3 head pieces, 3 tailpieces and 3 plates, also engraved by Courboin after drawings by Baugnies.
Our copy presents each engraving in double or triple state.
A superb wide-margined copy bound in elegant contemporary blue morocco with the original wrappers bound in. Signed by Chambolle-Duru.
Provenance: from the P. Villeboeuf collection with ex libris.
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