DAVID (Hermine) - VERLAINE (Paul). - Lot 213

DAVID (Hermine) - VERLAINE (Paul). [Suites pour Sagesse de Paul Verlaine]. [Paris: Creuzevault, 1943]. - 3 sets of suites, in-8, leaves, lined covers, cardboard laced folder for one of the suites. Very rare and perhaps unique set of 3 color suites of original drypoints by Hermine DAVID (1866-1971) for the edition of Paul Verlaine's "Sagesse" published by Creuzevault on November 11, 1943. The first, in a cardboard folder, comprises 54 proofs on fine vellum, except for the large figures on heavy vellum. The other two are both in the book cover, and include the same number of color proofs on the same papers for the first, and 45 proofs for the second, this time SIGNED BY THE ARTIST. The latter includes a justification sheet stating: "Exemplaire 0 réservé à Colette Creuzevault". Covers soiled, one torn but not seriously. Also included: - VERLAINE (Paul). Sagesse. Paris : Creuzevault, [July 14, 1943]. -In-8, blue half-maroquin, smooth spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved, slipcase (period binding). Edition of 550 copies plus a few contributor's copies, illustrated with 62 drawings by Hermine DAVID, reproduced in the text and on the full page. This is a different and rarer edition than the one published with drypoints by the same artist on November 11, 1943. Collaborator's copy on Arches wove paper, including 20 color-enhanced compositions, a black suite of illustrations on fine wove paper, and a hand-touched proof of the first full-page composition. Enriched with an engraved card by Hermine David, including autograph greetings from the artist for 1938 on the reverse. Spine slightly faded, a few scratches. Some foxing. Without jacket.