BALZAC (Honoré de). The Country Doctor. To the wounded hearts, the shadow and the silence [of Balzac]. Paris : L. Mame-Delaunay, February-July 1833. - 2 volumes in-8, burgundy half calf, gilt fillet, smooth spine decorated, untrimmed (20th century binding). First edition of "one of the most sought after of Balzac's great novels" (Clouzot). The work was published without author's name, only with an epigraph signed "de Balzac" on the title. The edition is decorated with a vignette representing Christ stumbling under his cross, which came from the author's former printing house. A fine copy in an imitation 20th century binding, washed and complete with the 8-page catalogue of Balzac's works at the end of the second volume. First white endpaper of the first volume stained.