DURAS (Marguerite). The Sailor from Gibraltar. Novel. Paris: Gallimard, [1952]. — In-16, 182 x 117: 365 pp., (1 f.), printed cover. Orange half-chagrin binding with corner pieces, ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (G. Gauché). First edition. “A man who wants to change his life signs on to a ship. On this ship is a woman who is traveling the world in search of the sailor from Gibraltar whom she loved and who has disappeared. Love blossoms between the man who wants to change his life and the woman searching for the sailor from Gibraltar. Together, they will search meticulously for this missing sailor. If they find him, it will be the end of their love. A strange contradiction. From Sète to Tangier, from Tangier to Abidjan, and from Abidjan to Leopoldville, their search continues” (back cover of the Folio edition). One of 55 numbered copies on pure-fiber vellum from Papeteries Lafuma-Navarre (No. 28), the only edition printed on large-format paper. A fine copy bound by Georges Gauché, from the library of Georges Pompidou (1911–1974). Spine slightly faded, scuffing at the hinge of the front cover. Provenance: Georges Pompidou, with bookplate (auction 02/26/2020, lot 94).