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NARCISSE, DANS L'ÎLE DE VÉNUS.
(Paris: H. Perronneau, n.d. [ca. 1825]). 140 x 85 mm. (5 1/2 x 3 1/4"). [2] p.l., iv pp., [1] leaf, [5]-20 pp., [1] leaf, [21]-40 pp., [1] leaf, 41-56 pp., [1] leaf, 57-86 pp., [1] leaf, 87-128 pp.
Very attractive cobalt blue crushed morocco by Allô (signed on the front turn-in), covers with a French fillet border and a densely tooled lozenge centerpiece, raised bands, the spine gilt in compartments, turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. With engraved title page and a total of 10 etched plates (five in two states, one in an early proof state, and the other finished, three of the latter before letters). Each section with an engraved tailpiece. Printed on blue paper. Sander 1258. Spine slightly sunned (though barely noticeable because of the dense gilt decoration); in all other ways, an outstanding copy--remarkably clean and bright internally, and in an unworn, especially lustrous binding.
In a lovely binding and with multiple states of its engravings, this is a very appealing early 19th century deluxe French edition of Malfilâtre's Neoclassical masterpiece. Although undated, this copy seems to date from 1815-1830: its introduction refers to the 50-year period following the author's death, placing the work after ca. 1815. The delicately rendered illustrations, which are signed in the plate, are apparently by Robert de Launay (1754-1814) after drawings by Chasslat, presumably Charles Abraham Chasselat (1782-1843). The prefatory material indicates that a version of the book with only one impression of each plate was published alongside a deluxe version with two states of each plate; ours is this second version. The text itself is lauded in the introduction as the pinnacle of taste. Jacques-Charles-Louis de Clincamp de Malfilâtre (1733-67) wrote some odes and satires, but this poem is his chief work. Published two years after the writer's untimely death (of complications following a fall from a horse), the poem was a popular success, praised by biographer Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Champagnac as full of grace and freshness as well as written in an elegant and harmonious style. The binding by Allô is the perfect frame for this altogether pleasing little volume. (ST19567-102)
Price: $500.00