VENDU
2 volumes, 8vo (217 x 134 mm) 2 nn.ll., pp. [19]-352, 1 nn.l. (table) for volume I; 2 nn.ll., f.n.ch., 574 p., 1 f.n.ch. de table pour le volume II. Contemporary half-calf, flat spine with lettering and numbering pieces respectively in red and black morocco, top edge gilt, original yellow wrappers (no spine) preserved (some rubbing to hinges).
1 in stock
Clouzot, 22 ; Carteret, I, 70.
First edition of this “Ouvrage remarquable, de la plus grande rareté” (Carteret).
The first volume does not contain the preface, supplied after publication. Lucien Scheler noted in his copy of Carterert that ‘copies of the very first issue do not include the preface’.
Le Père Goriot presents the early life of Eugène de Rastignac, who later becomes a recurring character appearing in numerous texts of La Comédie Humaine. In his novel, Balzac embraces all social classes and depicts them at their most beautiful and ugliest. Although he wanted to give an impression of reality by focusing on precise and pointed descriptions, he sometimes fell into the grotesque by trying to accumulate the features of his characters.
A fine copy with very wide margins.
Monday to Saturday
10am – 1pm and 2:30pm – 7pm
(6pm Monday and Saturday)
© 2023 All rights reserved.