MALASSIS. BALZAC (Honoré de).

MALASSIS. BALZAC (Honoré de).
La belle Imperia. Conte drolatique. Paris, Louis Conard, 1903. In-8, havane morocco, spine with 4 protruding double-nerves, title and author's name-pieces, caissons decorated with gilded fillets and mosaic fountains, architectural decoration on the covers, composed of gilded fillets with red mosaic pieces, a rectangular recessed reserve in the center, and 3 bevels on the sides of the covers, counterplates edged in morocco decorated with a gilded fillet, linings and endpapers in colored moiré satin, gilded edges on witnesses, covers. parchment covers, slipcase [J. Kauffmann] (crack and tears to slipcase).
Edition illustrated with 30 compositions by the painter Edmond Malassis (1874-1940), engraved on wood or in heliogravure, some co¬lorinated and enhanced with gold.
Limited edition of 170 copies: one of 150 on wove paper (no. 82).
Curious original neo-gothic binding signed by Kaufmann.

PROVENANCE: Paul-Eugène Lefebvre de Viefville (1837-1917), President of the Chamber
Chambre à la Cour d'Appel de Paris (bookplate)| Maurice J. Lachard (bookplate).