Flaubert, Gustave

Three Tales

New York, NY: The Limited Editions Club, 1978. Limited First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Signed by Illustrator May Neama. "When a man, however endowed he may be, concerns himself only with telling the story, when he does not take into account that true literary power does not lie in the fact but indeed in the manner of preparing, presenting, and expressing it, he has no sense of art. The profound and delicious joy which leaps to the heart before certain pages, before certain phrases, does not come only from those who have written them; they come from an absolute compatibility of expression and idea, from a sensation of harmony, of secret beauty, eluding for the most part the judgment of the many." (from Introduction by Guy de Maupassant, pg. ix) Three classic stories by Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880), the iconic French author most well-known for his path-breaking, highly influential novel Madame Bovary. These stories (A Simple Heart, The Legend of Saint Julian & Herodias) were originally published together in 1877, this first edition thus is a sumptuous, exemplary production of The Limited Editions Club, featuring six color illustrations along with various monochrome vignettes by May Neama (1917-2007), the acclaimed Austrian-Belgian artist. One of 1600 copies hand-numbered & signed by Neama at colophon, this is copy No. 147/1600. With a lengthy, impassioned introduction (quoted above) by Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), another great French writer who was mentored by Flaubert, which sums up Flaubert's life & work & was apparently written as a memorial tribute. Large hardcover in illustrated boards with publisher's (unusually intact, see below) original glassine wrapper in slipcase. Also loosely present in this copy are a single-sheet prospectus for this edition (printed on recto only), & publisher's monthly newsletter of November, 1978 (No. 511) devoted to an essay on this volume & its contributors. A most beautiful & collectible version of this canonical collection by Flaubert. Book in very fine condition, substantially mint inside & out. Publisher's glassine wrapper in relatively fine albeit fragile condition with only mild yellowing to surfaces; very slight wear, a few tiny bumps, chips & several mostly short, closed tears at edges & corners esp. spine-edges & corners. We have provided our own clear protective jacket over same. Prospectus & ephemera substantially mint. Slipcase very fine with only very mild rubbing, fading & browning-yellowing to surfaces; a few faint scratches & one tiny spot on lower surface of front panel. An extra handling fee will be added for shipping due to the weight of this bundle. Very Fine / (Slipcase) Very Fine. [Item #4250]

Price: $75.00