[ZOLA (Émile)] - MASSIS (Henri). How Émile Zola composed his novels. D'après ses Notes personnelles et inédites. Paris: Bibliothèque-Charpentier, 1906. - In-18, 195 x 125: XII, 346 pp. (1 blank), printed cover. Dark green half-maroquin with corners, gilt fillets, ornate ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (Yseux sr. de Thierry-Simier). First edition of this landmark study, published only 4 years after Zola's death. The work is divided into two parts. The first is devoted to the "Conception du roman naturaliste" and the "Plan général et établissement de l'œuvre (1868-1870)"; the second deals with Émile Zola's "Méthode de travail", primarily studying the conception of the novel L'Assommoir. Appendices include "Notes d'Argot" and a "Catalogue des œuvres manuscrites d'Émile Zola". One of 25 numbered copies on Hollande paper (no. 5). Fine copy bound by Yseux. Spine slightly faded. The first and last leaves are browned by the cover, as are the edges of some witnesses.