BAZOUGE (Francis). Les Grands enterrements. Paris : H. Simonis Empis, 1892. - In-8, 230 x 175: 102 pp. (1 blank), illustrated cover. Bradel-style black chagrin, smooth spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover preserved(E. Jarrigeon). Crauzat, 561. First edition, dedicated to Émile Zola and prefaced by Émile Giboyer, of this remarkable satirical work by historian and novelist Francis Bazouge. The latter, "as a macabre man, imagines burying certain illustrious or ill-famed contemporaries there before their time, and entrusting their last eulogy to hand-picked enemies, when he does not, with even more gracious perfidy, charge the best friends of the buried with it" (Maurice Talmeyr,Causerie. Les Grandes réceptions, in :Le Revue hebdomadaire. tome XIX, December 1893, p. 151). Thus, the author imagines the funerals of various personalities, accompanied by speeches delivered by such figures as Jules Lemaître, Jules Claretie and Henri Becque for Francisque Sarcey; Renan, Naquet and Charles Chincholle for Georges Ohnet; Edmond de Goncourt, Camille Doucet and Henri Meilhac for Ernest Renan; the bâtonnier, M. Bullier and M. de Labruyère for Toutée; Maurice Barrès, Jean Coquelin and Claretie fils for Le Bar Gy; and Arsène Houssaye, Tony Révillon and Bisch for Madame Leprince. The humorous character of the whole is reinforced by the numerous illustrations that accompany the texts. Each funeral ceremony is illustrated by the work of a specific illustrator: Sarcey's features four illustrations by Jean-Louis Forain, one of which is full-page; Ohnet's includes five compositions by Heidbrinck, one of which is full-page; Toutée's is adorned with eighteen vignettes by STEINLEN, one of which is double-page; Le Bar Gy's is illustrated with three compositions by Legrand; and Bisch's has been enriched with six works by Albert Guillaume. STEINLEN's illustrations feature an interesting procession, depicting in profile the people invited to the great funerals, ranging from high society figures to members of the common people. A PRECIOUS COPY WITH STEINLEN'S SIGNED ORIGINAL DRAWING OF THE ALMOST COMPLETE FRIEZE REPRODUCED IN THE BOOK. These drawings were made in Indian ink, sometimes with blue pencil highlights, on one or more strips of paper. These strips were then cut into sections of appropriate length for reproduction on the pages of the book. In all, there are 17 sections, composed of one or more glued pieces; the one intended for reproduction at the bottom of page 64 is missing. Attached is an original ink drawing, unsigned but attributed to STEINLEN, depicting an ox (or two) in profile. Some minor wear to binding. Some soiling and browning to cover.