RICTUS (Jehan). Les Soliloques du Pauvre. S.l. Chez l'auteur, 1897. - In-4, 230 x 167: 169 pp, (3 ff. last blank), illustrated cover. Bradel-style black half-maroquin with corners, smooth spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover preserved (Canape). Crauzat, 595. First edition of this famous collection of poems written in the popular language of the late 19th century, evoking the misery and life of the beggars and homeless with whom the author rubbed shoulders. The first poem, entitledL'Hiver (Winter), first appeared in 1895-1896 in the journal-programme of the Quat'z'arts, one of Montmartre's most famous cabarets at the time. It is illustrated with two portraits of the author by STEINLEN, one on the cover, the second on the frontispiece. ONE OF 80 FIRST EXAMPLES ON IMPERIAL JAPON (no. 23). This one was a gift from the author to pharmacist and bibliophile Ange François Mariani, known as Angelo Mariani (1838-1914), inventor of Mariani wine with Peruvian coca. It includes this autograph dispatch signed on the false title: Pour Monsieur Angelo Mariani // grand remerciement, // Jehan Rictus // Mai 1897 Following this, he has copied 4 lines from the poem Le Printemps. Enriched with the blue cover of the vellum copies, a second portrait of the author on China paper, and 3 autograph letters signed by the author and addressed to Mariani. The first, a one-page in-12, is dated March 19, 1896 and signed "Gabriel Randon (Jehan Rictus)". He addresses him: "ma plaquette (tirée d'un vol. en préparation), la seule parue jusqu'à ce jour." This is the brochure containing the poemL'Hiver, published by the Quat'z'arts cabaret. This letter is still in its original envelope. The other two letters have been mounted at the top. The first, 3 pages in-12, is dated May 8, 1897. He informs him that he has succeeded in obtaining a copy of the book on japon, this one: "I enclose it with this letter with a cover similar to that of the numbered copies, intended in my mind to guarantee the japon cover. This cover should be stapled at Mr. Mariani's discretion. Here we see that the latter has kept this cover. The second, 2 pages in-12, is dated July 6, 1897. Rictus offers Mariani to sell him the manuscript "with erasures and printing corrections" of Les Soliloques. A very fine copy bound by Canape. Provenance:Angelo Mariani, with consignment from the author. - Signet bearing the stamp of bookseller and expert Bernard Loliée.