FRANCE (Anatole) and CHAHINE (Edgar). Histoire comique. Dryp - Lot 149

FRANCE (Anatole) and CHAHINE (Edgar). Histoire comique. Drypoints and etchings by Edgar Chahine. Remarkable Jansenist binding signed by Georges Cretté, containing one of 20 copies on Shizuoka Japon paper, with a suite of Chahine's compositions on Japon à la forme, and enriched with 3 original drawings signed by the artist, including the portrait of Anatole France and 2 compositions inserted in the linings. Paris, Calmann-Lévy, [1905]. In-4 (230x290 mm), cherry grosgrain morocco, spine with 4 cold-framed bands, gold lettering to entrenerfs, cold filleting to edges, lining decorated with two original drawings signed by Chahine and edged with a band of the same cherry morocco set with multiple cold and gilt fillets, double endpapers, gilt edges, covers and spine preserved, edged slipcase (G. Cretté, success. of Marius Michel). 186 pages and 1 f. (publisher's prospectus), 28 drypoints and etchings by Edgar Chahine, printed in black in the text, in chapter headings or in caps. Slight rubbing on a nerve and a tiny stain on the second plate, 2 stains on the first plate of the suites, without affecting the drawing. Slight wear to slipcase. Beautifully illustrated edition with 28 drypoints and etchings by Edgar Chahine, personally chosen by Anatole France to illustrate this love story, which he succeeded in making "a moving book to look at" (prospectus). Limited edition of 300 numbered copies, this being one of 20 copies on Japan paper, manufactured in Shizuoka, with the suite on Japon à la forme of all the compositions. Nominative copy for Jules le Petit, bearing N°34. A precious copy enriched with 3 original signed drawings by Edgar Chahine, including the portrait of Anatole France and two drawings adorning the linings. Elegant Jansenist binding by Georges Cretté (1893-1969), one of the most important bookbinders of the 20th century.