BLOY (Léon). La Chevalière de la Mort. Paris: Mercure de France, 1896. - In-18, paperback. Partly first edition, the first published in France, of this mystical novel by Léon Bloy. Contains a preface and two previously unpublished chapters ("Le Fumier des lys" and "Le Prince noir"). The original appeared in Ghent in 1891, in an edition of 100 copies. Copy on publisher's paper, enriched with an autograph letter signed by the author on the false title, addressed to his close friend Henry Cayssac: "à Henry Cayssac // pour lui épargner la // fatigue de venir chez moi // un ami malheureux.// Léon Bloy." Enclosed is a L.A.S. from Cayssac to M. Pierre Arrou, 1 page in-12, in which the book is discussed: "My intention is to go and bring you 'Chevalière de la Mort' one evening." This is probably a letter from Claire Cayssac, Henry's daughter. Spine broken, with tears and lacks, tears on the edges of the cover and several leaves, sometimes with lack and damage to the text. Several leaves detached. A few restorations, some clumsy with scotch tape (pp. 23, 24 and 25). The leaf corresponding to pages 11-12, used as a false title between the end of the notes and the beginning of the text, has been reassembled at the head. Pages 69-70 are missing. - Another copy of the same work in the same edition, in contemporary red half-maroquin with corners, with the front cover preserved. Rubbing to spine.