SONNETS AND ETCHINGS. Paris: Alphonse Lemerre, 1869. - In-folio, 358 x 295: title, (46 ff.), 42 plates. Havana half-marque with corners, gilt filets, spine with ornamented ribs, gilt head, untrimmed (contemporary binding). First edition of this famous collective collection published by Alphonse Lemerre under the direction of Philippe Burty, comprising 42 sonnets and as many original etchings. The work begins with a title engraved by Alfred Prunaire after a composition by Édouard Renard. The sonnets are the work of the main poets of the time, such as Jean Aicard, Joseph Autran, Théodore de Banville, Antoni and Émile Deschamps, Anatole France, José Maria de Hérédia, Arsène Houssaye, Victor de Laprade, Laurent-Pichat, Leconte de Lisle, Catulle Mendès, Sainte-Beuve, Joséphin Soulary, Armand Sylvestre, Sully Prudhomme, Paul Verlaine, etc. Among the etchings, 41 are original engravings by the artists. They include Edmond Morin, Giacomotti, Célestin Nanteuil, Gustave Doré, Léopold Flameng, and Daubigny, Jean-François Millet and Édouard Manet, with his Woman in Manila. Paul Meurice's sonnet is illustrated with an etching based on a drawing by Victor Hugo. The edition of this collection was limited to 386 copies; this is one of 350 on laid paper. Good copy, entirely mounted on tabs. Dark stains on the plates. Scattered freckles and discharges of the engravings on the facing pages.