MAUPASSANT (Guy de). Two Tales. The Old Man. La Ficelle. Paris : Aux dépens de la Société Normande du livre illustré, 1907. - In-8, 241 x 162 : (1 blank page), 89 pp, (2 pages), illustrated cover. Maroon morocco, quadruple gilt fillet on the boards, spine ribbed and decorated, inner gilt fillets, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved, slipcase (S. David 1913). Remarkable and luxurious edition, in the purest Art Nouveau style, printed in two colours with the help of characters designed by Georges Auriol and engraved by Georges Peignot. It is illustrated with 84 beautiful original woodcuts drawn in cameos by the engraver and designer Auguste Lepère (1849-1918) who himself printed the book on his hand presses. Unique edition at 120 numbered copies on Hollande laid paper made especially for this work, with watermark drawn by the artist (n° 84). Nice copy. Spine very slightly faded.