CHEVIGNÉ (Comte de).

Lot 55
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Estimation :
1200 - 1500 EUR
CHEVIGNÉ (Comte de).
The tales of Reims. Drawings by Meissonier. Third edition. Paris, Michel Lévy frères, 1858. In-8, red morocco, framed with gilt filets and corner fleurons à la Du Seuil on the boards, finely decorated ribbed spine, inner lace, gilt edges (Lortic). The most beautiful edition of this "amiable text [which] owes it to Meissonier not to have fallen into oblivion" (Carteret, III, p. 158). It contains 40 tales, twelve more than the 1843 edition. The illustration, in the first edition, includes, in addition to the out-of-text portrait by Chevigné and the in-text portrait by Lavalette, to whom the edition is dedicated, both after Meissonier, 40 vignettes at the head of the book, 34 by Meissonier and 6 by Foulquier, admirably engraved on wood by Lavoignat, Lavieille, Perrichon and Régnier. "One of the most beautiful Romantic productions" (Carteret). A superb copy, quoted by Carteret, one of 40 copies on large Hollande paper reprinted in in-8 format, with the figures printed on chine clair appliqué, an edition of remarkable quality. It is enriched with: - two autograph letters signed, one by Meissonnier, flying, dated May 1889, the other, bound at the head, by the Count of Chevigné, dated March 1, 1861 (date of the first reprint), addressed to his printer: "I beg you to have the copies that have Colin-Maillard seated stapled and to send them to me in Rheims as soon as possible [it is known that this tale will finally be withdrawn from the edition]... Keep with you the copies on vellum. I will take them when I go to Paris". - a very fine original drawing by Meissonier, signed and dated 1854, carefully mounted in a watercolour frame, a drawing not included in the illustration of the volume. Without the very rare green printed cover specific to this edition. From the library of Henri Bonasse (1982, no. 22), with ex-libris
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