Jacques Bainville – La Troisième République 1870–1935 – 1935 First Edition, Presentation Copy to André Maurois, Fine Morocco

A particularly attractive association copy of Jacques Bainville's La Troisième République 1870–1935, presented by the author to fellow writer André Maurois and his wife Simone, and later forming part of the library of Alfred and Blanche de Curzon.

Published by Arthème Fayard in 1935 in the series Les Grandes Études Historiques, this is copy no. 252 of 325 printed on vélin pur fil des Papeteries Lafuma, with the Lafuma watermark visible in the paper. The original printed wrappers have been preserved and bound into an elegant full green morocco binding, the spine with raised bands and gilt lettering, gilt-ruled turn-ins and top edge gilt; the fore and lower edges remain untrimmed, retaining the generous deckled margins of the large-paper issue. The binding is signed in gilt on the turn-in "The Times Book Club."

Of particular significance is Bainville's presentation inscription:

à Madame André Maurois
respectueux hommage
à André Maurois
très cordialement
Jacques Bainville

"Madame André Maurois" was Simone de Caillavet (1894–1968), herself an author, who had married André Maurois in 1926.

The association is especially pertinent. Bainville had been elected to the Académie française on 28 March 1935, shortly before this book was printed, and was formally received in November of that year. He died in February 1936. Maurois subsequently stood for Bainville's vacant seat, receiving ten votes against Joseph de Pesquidoux's sixteen in the Académie election of July 1936; Maurois was ultimately elected to a different fauteuil in 1938.

The front pastedown bears the coroneted ex-libris of Alfred and Blanche de Curzon. This is a recognised bibliophile provenance: Christie's has recorded the same armorial bookplate on finely bound books from the Curzon library. Alfred Parent de Curzon was a French diplomat and grandson of the painter Paul-Alfred de Curzon.

A small contemporary printed portrait of Bainville has also been inserted at the front.

The combination of large-paper first edition, authorial presentation to André and Simone Maurois, subsequent Curzon provenance, preserved original wrappers and signed full-morocco binding makes this a notably individual copy of Bainville's final major historical work.

Paris: Arthème Fayard et Cie, 1935. First edition. Les Grandes Études Historiques. No. 252 of 325 copies on vélin pur fil des Papeteries Lafuma, numbered 161–485. The limitation also records smaller issues on Japon and Hollande papers and various reserved copies. Printed by Firmin-Didot at Mesnil-sur-l'Estrée; the colophon records completion on 10 April 1935. Collated completed - the standard bibliographical record gives 317 pages.

Condition

Very good. Full green morocco retaining a strong colour to the boards, the spine faded to olive-brown as commonly encountered with green leather, with light rubbing around the raised bands and extremities. Gilt lettering remains clear and bright. Binding firm and sound.

Internally very well preserved, printed on substantial Lafuma vélin pur fil with broad margins and deckled fore and lower edges. Occasional light spotting, including to the Curzon bookplate. Original printed wrappers and spine preserved within the binding. Author's presentation inscription clear and unfaded. Small printed portrait of Bainville inserted at front.

Provenance

Jacques Bainville → André and Simone Maurois, by presentation inscription; subsequently Alfred and Blanche de Curzon, their coroneted bookplate; later bound in full green morocco with the gilt stamp of The Times Book Club.