Oeuvres de Rabelais

RUDOLF NUREYEV'S COPY. Frontispiece and 60 steel-engraved full page plates, accompanied by numerous vignettes after Gustave Dore. Two volumes. First folio edition. Large folio. [430 x 327 x 107 mm]. [2]ff, xliv, 476 pp, [2]ff, 496 pp. Uniformly bound in publisher's original red ribbed cloth, the front covers and spines blocked in gilt to a design by A. Souze, the rear covers blocked in gilt, grey endleaves, plain edges. (Corners and headcaps slightly bumped, spine a little rubbed, otherwise a tight and firm binding in very good condition). Occasional light foxing, half title page to volume two is creased, otherwise illustrations are clean and plates are accompanied with original captioned tissue guards. A very good set. Rudolf Nureyev's copy, bought from the Nureyev Foundation when it had premises in Bath. (Although there is no ownership inscription or bookplate, proof of ownership may be provided). Gordon Ray, The Art of the French Illustrated Book, 1700 to 1914, 242. A previous edition of Francois Rabelais' work illustrated by Gustave Dore was published in 1854 but 'was printed inexpensively on inferior paper with rough and ready engravings'. In this folio edition Dore added some 580 more designs.…