REF. 0750

Les Chansons de Bilitis

Pierre Louÿs

Publisher: L'Édition d'Art Piazza
Place: Paris
Date: 1943
Format: In-8 (204 x 148 mm)
Binding: Kauffmann
Collation: 206 pp., (3) ff.
Edition: Limited issue copy
Artist: Paul-Émile Bécat
Language: French
Century: 20th century
Distinctive features: 2 autograph letters signed by Pierre Louÿs, included

Condition report

The piece is held for you for 7 days, with no immediate payment — choose the “Reservation” method at the payment step.

The piece is held for you for 7 days, with no immediate payment — choose the “Reservation” method at the payment step.

The piece is held for you for 7 days, with no immediate payment — choose the “Reservation” method at the payment step.

LOUŸS (Pierre). Les Chansons de Bilitis. Illustrated by Paul-Émile Bécat.
Paris: Piazza, 1943.

8vo (204 × 148 mm). 206 pp., (3) ff. Half raspberry morocco with corners, raised bands, gilt lettering, top edge gilt, patterned endpapers; original wrappers and spine preserved. Binding by Kauffmann-Horclois.

Illustrated edition, enriched with two superb autograph letters signed by Pierre Louÿs.
The first is a one-page correction (“à la lettre 2203, du 31 juillet”). The second, a charming three-page letter entitled “Vendredi”, offers a delightful glimpse into Louÿs’s wit: a humorous parody of divine communication — “Il n’accorde la communication qu’aux abonnés [...] (Voix célestes : Zzzz ! Krrrr ! Allô ! Pas libre !)” — followed by an irreverent request for “une petite ordure… dont j’aurais besoin pour caler ma baignoire”, identified as Fac. Par. de Brusc… Rouen, Thomas Maillard, 1615.

One of 3000 copies on vélin des papeteries Boucher, this being no. 2768. The charming illustrations by Bécat — sensual, fluid, and quintessentially 1940s — suit Louÿs’s celebrated pastiche of ancient erotic poetry perfectly.

A very attractive copy, the spine just lightly sunned.

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