One of Balzac’s most famous novels.
Original edition, rare in fine binding of the time.
Balzac, Honoré de. Le Médecin de campagne.
Paris, L. Mame-Delaunay, February 1833-July 1833.
2 volumes in 1 in-8vo of: I/ 360 pp.; II/ 326 pp., (4) pp. of the publisher’s catalog (out of the 8 found in some copies), (1) blank leaf. Midnight blue half calf, smooth spine adorned with gilt fillets, marbled edges. Binding of the time.
205 x 125 mm.
Rare original edition of one of the most sought-after among Balzac’s great novels.
Carteret, I, 66-68; Clouzot, p.21.
This novel is part of the “Scenes from Country Life“.
Balzac wrote it during a period of his life when, disappointed by his love for the Countess of Castries, and by the failure of his political ambitions, he went through a “crisis” that transformed him. The Parisian “lion” received in the salons of the Faubourg Saint-Germain gave up the vanities of dandyism, embroidered vests and famous canes to retreat into his work.
The novel bears the following quote at the beginning, which hints at the echo of a personal experience: “To wounded hearts, shadow and silence“.
Beautiful copy, particularly large margins (height: 205 mm), covered in elegant period binding.
