BERNARDIN de SAINT-PIERRE Jacques-Henri. Paul et Virginie.
Paris: Imprimerie de Monsieur, 1789.

12mo (133 × 96 mm). XXV, 243 pp., (2) ff. Original broché in contemporary dominoté paper wrappers with pink chevron motifs; uncut; custom chemise and slipcase.

Precious first separate edition, issued after the tale’s initial publication in 1788 within volume IV of the Études de la nature.
This issue is on thin écu paper.

A very attractive, unsophisticated example, complete with the four engravings: the first three by Moreau le Jeune, the last by Vernet. Each plate is present twice — one cut close (on écu paper), the other uncut (on Chine paper) — an uncommon and desirable feature.

Minor foxing; some misplacement in the pagination of a few prefatory leaves, first illustration loose.
A fine copy in original waiting wrappers, rarely preserved in this state.

References: Tchemerzine 149; Cohen 931–932.