CONRAD (Joseph). - Lot 119

CONRAD (Joseph). Heart of Darkness. Paris: Librairie de la Revue française, [1928]. — In-4, 276 x 216: (4 leaves, the first 2 blank), 162 pp., (5 leaves, the last 3 blank), 5 plates, printed cover. Binding formed on the covers from two large triangular pieces arranged in a mirror image, with red morocco on the inside and black morocco on the outside, plain spine in black morocco, wide red and black morocco border on the inside, red silk endpapers and linings, edges gilt on endpapers, cover and spine preserved, edged slipcase (Creuzevault). A deluxe edition of this short story by Joseph Conrad, in the French translation by G. Jean-Aubry and André Ruyters. This text, first published in 1899 in Blackwood’s Magazine, is inspired by the author’s personal experiences in Africa. The story follows Charles Marlow, a British sailor tasked with traveling up the Congo River to find Kurtz, an ivory trader who became a ruthless tyrant after venturing deep into the jungle. Marlow plunges into the depths of colonial barbarism and dehumanization; aware of the norms and conventions of his society, he lucidly perceives the gulf between Europeans and Africans, while asserting, despite everything, a shared humanity. The edition is illustrated with 19 color-enhanced compositions by Charles FOUQUERAY (1869–1956), including 5 full-page plates. One of the rare copies from the exceptional print run of the “Collection du Paon Blanc,” limited to 25 numbered copies. This copy, numbered A-4, is printed on Japanese paper and enhanced with an original watercolor signed by the artist (the one opposite page 116) as well as a series of black-and-white illustrations on Japanese paper. The print’s colophon specifies that these copies should include two watercolors. However, the series is not mentioned there. A very fine copy bound by Creuzevault. Slight rubbing on the spine and hinges, nothing serious.