Notre Cœur

Maupassant (de), Guy. Notre Cœur. 
Paris, Paul Ollendorff, 1890.

In-8 (189 x 125 mm): [5] ff, 300 pp, [2]. Covers preserved. Chocolate half-maroquin with corners, spine with false-nerves, author and title gilt, gilt head (contemporary binding).

First edition. 
Superb first edition of Maupassant's last novel, of which 5 copies were printed on Japon and 150 on Hollande. Presentation copy with an inscription from the author to Maurice Leloir: ‘a Maurice Leloir ton ami Guy de Maupassant’.
The painter and writer Maurice Leloir (1851-1940), who was also a friend of Dumas fils, contributed several illustrations to Maupassant's titles, including Une vie in 1920. Guy de Maupassant dedicated his short story Idylle to Maurice Leloir's brother, Alexandre-Louis Leloir. Already suffering from syphilis, Maupassant undertook a final novel following this one, L'Angélus, which he never completed.

Joints slightly worn but solid.
From the library of Lucienne Corneux Filloux, with bookplate.