FRANCE (Anatole). L'Affaire Crainquebille. Paris: Édouard Pelletan, 1901. - In-8, 254 x 179: (1 f.), 101 pp, (4 ff.), printed cover. Red half-maroquin with corners, gilt fillets, ribbed spine decorated with frames of gilt fillets and grey morocco scrolls, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (Semet et Plumelle). Crauzat, 615. First edition illustrated with 63 compositions by Théophile Alexandre STEINLEN, including 6 full-page woodcuts by Ernest and Frédéric Florian, the Froment brothers, Gusman, Mathieu and Perrichon. "L'Affaire Crainquebille is a page in the history of the people. It shows a brave greengrocer coming up against the letter of the law and breaking against it. If the honest man doesn't become a rascal, it's because he's past the age when such avatars are possible, but he does become a wreck, and that's sadder, if not worse. This story is told with an irony that sometimes provokes the thrill of drama" (prospectus). Edition of 400 copies; one of 343 on Papeteries du Marais vellum (no. 379), signed by the publisher in the justification. A fine copy bound by Semet et Plumelle, enriched with the publication prospectus. Spine slightly faded. Some foxing.