Le Vase étrusque Eaux-fortes de Pierre Brissaud

Mérimée, Prosper ; Pierre Brissaud (illustrator)

Published by Henry Babou éditeur, Paris, 1930

About this Item

Original etchings; 90 pages; Publisher's pale green printed wrappers, with a matching slipcase of pale green boards with a printed label mounted to the front cover. The wrappers are clean and fine, the original glassine dust jacket intact and in excellent condition apart from a very small area eroded and lost at the foot of the spine. The slipcase shows minor rubbing at the edges and corners but is integral and quite presentabe. A handsome illustrated edition, published 100 years after the original publication of this novella in the 'Revue de Paris' (1830). The illustrations by Pierre Brissaud are original etchings, printed from the plates by atelier Nourisson. Each has a plain tissue guard -- (the guards display some transfer from the printing inks used, as might be expected. Each is unworn and otherwise fresh). A superior copy of this illustrated edition; according to the Tirage statement on a preliminary leaf -- "limité à 330 exemplaires numérotés, celui-ci un des 303 sur vélin à la forme Johannot." This is copy number 303 of the edition on vélin. Pierre Brissaud [1885-1964] was an art déco master, best known for his superb work in pochoir for the Gazette du Bon Ton, Vogue (Paris) and several other illustrated books. Le Vase Etrusque is the story of Auguste Saint-Clair, a reclusive man who meets Mathilde de Coursy, a young, beautiful widow. She becomes his mistress and his only friend. August hears a rumor that Mathilde was formerly the mistress of Massigny, who had offered him a rare Etruscan vase. Furious with jealousy, August confronts Mathilde, then storms off in a rage, provokes an argument with Thémines, one of his rivals. The next day, Mathilde informs August that she had never been Massigny's mistress; he begs her forgiveness, but is killed during a duel to resolve the dispute with Thémines. Some suggest that Mathilde de Coursy was modelled after Émilie Hémart, wife of the soldier Félix Lacoste with whom Mérimée had a duel during which he was injured in the arm. Seller Inventory # 43349

Bibliographic Details

Title: Le Vase étrusque Eaux-fortes de Pierre ...

Publisher: Henry Babou éditeur, Paris

Publication Date: 1930

Binding: Wrappers

Illustrator: Illustrated by Pierre Brissaud

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

Edition: Limited/Numbered Edition.