*Stéphane MALLARMÉ. Les Poésies. Frontispiece by F. Rops. Bruxelles, Deman, (February 20) 1899; gr in-8 br, moiré cover drawn by [Théo Van Rysselberghe], chemise, contemporary black percal. slipcase. Partly original posthumous edition, with 15 additional poems. Ex. of undetermined current edition on tinted laid paper.Frontispiece by F. Rops on vellum. New reduced and retouched heliogravure of La Grande Lyre des Poésies photolithographiées of 1887. Our 1887 edition (see 46) includes two earlier states before the copper was cut and the symphonic margins removed. Long in the making, as a follow-up to the 1st volume of Poésies of 1887, the new edition appeared only shortly after his death, enlarged in comparison with the 1887 edition by 14 pieces already published in review or volume, and by Petit air II, previously unpublished. This is the reference edition, amended by the 1894 mock-up given to Deman. The 4pp. in fine Bibliography, written by the poet, is precious and often quoted: "Such meticulousness testifies, unnecessarily perhaps, to some deference to future scoliasts". New and uncut, except for a tiny ding on the front cover, which has retained all its lustre. Enclosed: Brown crystal wrapping paper sealed with F. Khnopff's unlisted rectangular label. [The only one known to insiders is the one sealing the wrapper of G. Kahn, Limbes de Lumières chez Deman in 1897, a small stock of which was once found by the eminent English bookseller Geoffrey Perkins in Brussels. This is the small square label (2.3 x 2.1), gilded on a black sky background, with fillet that A. and L. Fontainas describe for the mark used in certain editions (Publications de la librairie Deman, p. 12 no. 3)]. Unknown, our small label is rectangular (3.1 x 2.1), fully gilded and, uniquely, lettered: EDMOND DEMAN [on top], EDITEUR/BRUXELLES [on bottom]. Note that the mark chosen by Deman for this edition is also rectangular, but horizontal, and in Khnopff's solar rather than lunar design. The fact that the crystal has been torn, by a once eager reader, is of no consequence... We have here the refinement of a collector-publisher. Provenance: Marc Varenne, chef du secrétariat particulier de la Présidence de la République, Palais de l'Elysée. Enclosed is his s. card, photo stamped, from the "Association des journalistes parisiens. Sociétaire" issued June 28, 1911.