LESAGE (Alain René). Le Diable boiteux... preceded by a notice on Le Sage, by M. Jules Janin. Paris : Ernest Bourdin et Cie, 1840. - In-8, 265 x 172 : (2 ff.), XVI, 380 pp. illustrated cover. Havana morocco, gilt plate framed on the boards, made of fillets and volutes, spine ribbed and decorated, gilt filets and roulette inside, gilt edges on witnesses, cover and spine preserved, case (Charles Meunier 1899). First edition of the notice by Jules Janin and first printing of the illustration by Tony Johannot, comprising 147 woodcut vignettes in the text, one of which is repeated on the title. Copy without the frontispiece but richly enriched, including the following pieces: - Original watercolour signed by Adolphe Lalauze (1838-1906) for an illustration of the Diable boiteux. - Original ink drawing by the painter and illustrator Henri Pille (1844-1897), dedicated to his friend Dr. Laffont and dated May 3, 1896 - 9 etchings engraved by Louis Monziès after the drawings of Henri Pille for the Lemerre edition of 1879, in two states, on vellum before the letter and on china before the letter The 9 chine proofs bear Pille's autograph signature. - Portrait of the author and 7 etchings by Adolphe Lalauze for the 1880 Jouaust edition, in a state before the letter on laid paper. Each proof has been signed in red by the artist. The watercolour by Lalauze at the head is the one of the engraving located here between pages 156-157. this copy was thus established by Doctor Laffont, dedicatee of the drawing by Henri Pille, who took care to note in his hand the list of the parts added opposite the cover . The binding was also done at his request by Charles Meunier in 1899. lined cover, the spine has been restored . Transfer of some engravings added on the facing leaves. The interior is very fresh, some foxing affecting exclusively pages 304 to 312.