GUÉRIN (Eugénie de) - Lot 129

GUÉRIN (Eugénie de) Reliquiae. Published by Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly and G.-S. Trebutien. Caen, Imprimerie de A. Hardel, 1855. Small square in-12, red morocco, double gilt fillet, spine decorated with gilt fillets, interior lace, gilt edges, slipcase (Veuve Pouillet). Extremely rare, uncirculated first edition, printed in a small number: 50 copies are said to exist, plus at least one copy on pink paper (Clouzot). Published by Trebutien and Barbey d'Aurevilly, who signs the preface, in which he praises Eugénie de Guérin (1805-1848): Produced in a small number of copies to be placed before selected eyes, discreet, modest and almost mysterious, this little volume is not a book in the resounding sense of the word [...] It is a work of art. [...] It is the expression of a natural feeling which, by dint of its depth and true beauty, has found, without seeking it, the most exquisite literary form... Maurice de Guérin had a sister, not only of blood, but of genius. Copy on Hollande paper, bearing on the false-title this dispatch: À Madame Colmet d'Aage hommage respectueux d'un des clients de son mari, J. Barbey d'Aurevilly. Written by Trebutien at the request of Barbey d'Aurevilly, who wished to offer a copy to his lawyer: I would like to offer my lawyer the Reliquiae. You know that I have lawsuits of which I have spoken to you sometimes. These trials to get me out of this forest of Bondy, from which I will only come out in pieces [...] this lawyer is Mr Colmet Daage, the man most worthy of raising his abominable profession. [...] You will write on her copy: to Madame Colmet Daage - respectful homage from one of her husband's clients. - Jules B. d'A. (Barbey d'Aurevilly, letter to Trebutien, January 10, 1856, in Correspondance générale, V, p. 107). Bookplate Geo Valdelièvre, engraved by Perrichon after Pierre Fritel.