Paris, A. Levavasseur, 1831.
2 volumes 8vo [215 x 128 mm] of : Volume I: half-title, title with an engraved vignette by Porrêt, 1 leaf of editor’s notice and 398 pages; Volume II: half-title, title with a different vignette, 486 pages, 1 leaf author’s note. Few foxing and spotting. Quarter red glazed calf, spines with 4 nerves decorated with a double gilt fillet, black calf lettering-pieces, ornamented panels, gilt fillets and border, untrimmed. Contemporary binding.
The first edition of “this great fresco where everything is painted in detail with an art of miniature”. (P. Bourget).
Carteret, II, 354; Vicaire, I, 456.
“Very rare and extremely sought-after. The contemporary bindings are usually quite simple. So one cannot be too difficult about their quality”. (M. Clouzot. Guide du Bibliophile).
Fine copies are rare and their price has risen sharply in recent years.
On 21 October 1981, the first editions of Le Rouge et le Noir and La Chartreuse de Parme in uniform half calf were sold for 148,000 FF at the Hôtel Drouot. These 4 volumes, in half-binding, reappeared on 16 May 1995 and were then sold for 745,000 FF (113,500 €).
Beautiful copies in contemporary half-calf are rare and reach high bids: on 18 April 1997 the Robert Fleury copy of Le Rouge et le Noir in cherry half-calf sold for 593,000 FF at the Hôtel Drouot (90,300 €).
A precious copy with exceptionally wide margins (height: 215 mm) as untrimmed, covered with an elegant contemporary binding in red half calf.
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