REBATET (Lucien). The Two Standards. Roman. Paris : Gallimard, [1951]. - 2 volumes in-8, 223 x 137 : 496 pp, (4 ff. last blank), printed cover ; 519 pp, (4 ff. last blank), printed cover. Dark blue jansenist morocco, spine gilt, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (A. Fillias). First edition of this largely autobiographical novel, considered by some as one of the masterpieces of French literature of its time. Lucien Rebatet (1903-1972) wrote it in prison after being sentenced because of his attitude during the war and his inclination towards Nazi ideology. He was released in 1952. Unlike his anti-Semitic pamphlet published in 1942, this novel is not about politics but about religion, literature and love. François Mitterrand will have this formula about this book: "There are two kinds of men: those who have read The Two Standards, and the others" (quote by Jean-Christophe Buisson and Jean-Marc Parisis in Le Bal des maudits, 2011). ONE OF THE 105 FIRST COPIES ON PURE WIRED VELIN FROM LAFUMA NAVARRE PAPER STORES, this one being one of the five out of trade. A good copy in a contemporary binding by Antoine Fillias. Rubbing at the corners and on the nerves, edges of the boards slightly darkened.