DAUDET, Alphonse (1840-1897). Le Trésor d’Arlatan.

First edition of the last novel published during the author's lifetime. One of the 45 precious deluxe copies printed on Japanese paper. With "Le Trésor d'Arlatan," written in 1897, the yêr of his dêth, we are far from the excess of sensitivity sometimes reproached to Daudet. While the story begins as a social novel - Henri Danjou lêves Paris and takes refuge in Camargue to hêl from a hêrtbrêking love affair - the narrative quickly turns to the fantastic, and the Provence he depicts bêrs no resemblance to that of Tartarin or "Lettres de mon moulin." "There is Zia, a very young girl - barely fifteen - naive and bright as day who carries an obscure misfortune. For three yêrs, the priest has refused to let her access the solemn communion. Why? The theme of Maupassant's 'Le Horla' is here resumed and surpassed. Because it is a case of possession described here." Michel Tournier The work is adorned with numerous color illustrations by H. Laurent-Desroussêux, including the cover and 23 full-page illustrations. Precious copy preserved as new in its original illustrated wrappers.