FLAUBERT (Gustave). The Temptation of Saint Anthony. - Lot 141

FLAUBERT (Gustave). The Temptation of Saint Anthony. A remarkable copy of the original on Hollande (N°10), from the collection of Louis Barthou, in a splendid Art Nouveau binding by Petrus Ruban. Paris, Charpentier et Cie, 1874. Small in-4 (170x250 mm), wine-lees grosgrain morocco, ribbed spine framed with cold filets extending over the boards, first cover decorated with a large floral decoration composed of roses stamped and mosaicked in red, pink and black morocco, double gilt fillet on the edges, wide inner border in the same morocco decorated with a double gilt frame with maple leaves drawn in gold fillet and mosaicked in brown morocco at the corners, signature "P. Ruban, 1904" in the leather, grey brocaded satin lining and endpapers with anthracite and pale grey embroidered floral motifs, double endpapers, covers preserved, gilt edges on witnesses, bordered slipcase (P. Ruban, 1904). 3 ff.n.ch. and 296 pages. Spine slightly faded, slight foxing on title, original covers a little browned. First edition. Limited edition of 85 numbered copies, this one of 75 on Hollande, justified by the publisher (N°10). From the library of Louis Barthou (1862-1934) of the Académie Française, lawyer, politician, historian, writer and great bibliophile (1935 sales catalog, I, no. 154) and E. Zierer, with their bookplates on the flyleaf. A very fine copy with full margins, in a charming turn-of-the-century mosaic binding, perfectly executed by Pétrus Ruban (1851-1929), one of the most talented artists of the period.