BARBEY D'AUREVILLY (Jules) - Lot 111

BARBEY D'AUREVILLY (Jules) Une Page d'histoire (1603). Paris, Alphonse Lemerre, 1886. Small in-12, dark blue half-maroquin, spine ribbed with gold titling, gilt head, untrimmed, front cover (Binding of the period). First edition, decorated with 2 etchings by Courboin after Léon Ostrowski: the frontispiece depicts the Château de Tourlaville, near Cherbourg, the scene of the tragic, incestuous love affair between Julien and Marguerite de Ravalet, the protagonists of Barbey's story. Autograph signed letter from the author in red ink on the back cover: To Madame la marquise de Chaponay "And if I'm not there this thing at least will be there?" J. Barbey d'Aurevilly. Born Constance Schneider, the Countess de Chaponay frequented the salon of the Baroness de Poilly; her husband was an embassy attaché. It was at her home that Barbey met Dr. Albert Robin, who cared for the novelist until his death (cf. Lettres à Madame de Bouglon, p. 169, note no. 4). The mailing is noted by Bonnefon, Les Dédicaces à la main de M. J. Barbey d'Aurevilly, p. 172. Slight wetness on the corner of the second etching and on the facing page. Minor rubbing to binding.