MUSSET (Alfred de). - Lot 645

MUSSET (Alfred de). Les Nuits et souvenir. Paris: Édouard Pelletan, 1896. - In-8, 239 x 162: (4 ff.), 101 pp., (1 f.), printed cover. Havana calf, first board decorated with a modelled and painted composition depicting a muse holding a lyre in a floral landscape and under a starry sky, at the bottom are the head of an owl, the title of the book and the author's name, ribbed spine, quadruple cold fillet framing the inside, green moiré silk lining and endpapers, gilt edges on witnesses, cover and spine preserved, bordered slipcase (Stroobants and M.L. Perraud for the composition). Sought-after edition of the first work published by the art publisher Édouard Pelletan, illustrated with a portrait of the author after David d'Angers and 17 compositions by Auguste GÉRARDIN (1849-1933), including 6 full-page illustrations, 6 chapter headings and 5 culs-de-lampe, all wood-engraved by Florian. Limited edition of 550 copies signed by the publisher, this being one of 400 on Papeteries du Marais vellum and more specifically one of 300 on this paper published without continuation. A superb copy in a contemporary binding by Stroobants, decorated on the front cover with a large, superb composition modeled in color and signed "M. L. Perraud". Spine faded, some wear and tear. Some foxing.