BARBEY D'AUREVILLY (Jules). Les Prophètes du passé. Paris: Louis Hervé, 1851. - In-16, 164 x 117 : XXXVI, 160. Bradel-style marbled paper boards, smooth spine, untrimmed (Howland). First edition in a small number, dedicated to Baroness Almaury de Maistre, of this collection of critical portraits of writers, philosophers and politicians who left their mark on their time. Copy enriched with this autograph letter signed by the author on the false title: hommage de respect // à Mr l'abbé Chastenay = Vicaire Général // Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly The copy was subsequently acquired by the writer, librettist and novelist Ludovic Halévy (1834-1908), who had it bound by a certain Howland. Spine browned, marbled paper tears at spine edge. Rubbing and small angular loss on the false title, very slightly affecting the dedication, browning in the inner margin of the first few leaves. Provenance: Abbé de Chastenay, with autograph dispatch. - Ludovic Halévy, with bookplate.