COLETTE, Sidonie-Gabrielle. Mitsou. 26 eaux-fortes et pointes sèches de Edgar Chahine. Paris: Devambez, 1930.
4to (298 × 235 mm). (6) ff., 125 pp., (5) ff. Full plum morocco, covers decorated with alternating brown morocco mosaic bands over gilt paper, gilt edges on uncut leaves, spine with morocco lettering-piece; doublures in plum morocco each set with an inset silk engraving; satin endpapers; original illustrated wrappers and backstrip preserved; slipcase. Binding by A. Poulduian.
An exceptional copy: one of 20 copies reserved for the artist, on Japon paper, with the suite with remarques of the etchings, also on Japon. In as-new condition, and containing two superb silk engravings set into the doublures.
“One of the artist’s fine books” (Carteret). Chahine’s cycle of etchings for Mitsou — delicate, atmospheric, and quintessentially Parisian — is today regarded as one of his most accomplished illustrated suites of the 1930s, perfectly suited to Colette’s refined and intimate narrative. Devambez’s production values, combined with the minute limitation of the artist’s copies, make this issue one of the most desirable manifestations of the book.
A magnificent example in a luxurious and imaginative binding by Poulduian.
