VALÉRY (Paul). - Lot 127

VALÉRY (Paul). Studies for "Mon Faust". Illustrations by the author interpreted in woodcut by Pierre Bouchet. Paris: Les Cent-une, 1941. - In-4, 303 x 240: (8 ff. first 4 blank), 122 pp. (7 ff. last 5 blank), illustrated cover. Original edition published by the women's bibliophile society "Les Cent-Une", illustrated in the first edition with 14 drawings by the author interpreted in woodcuts by Pierre Bouchet. A precious chapel copy, once owned by Pierre Bouchet. It lacks a justification leaf. It has been enriched with one of the 5 suites of woodcuts on Arches vellum with the "Les Cent-Une" watermark, each proof numbered "1/5" and signed by Pierre Bouchet. It also includes this handsome autograph dedication by Paul Valéry: Exemplaire // de Monsieur Pierre Bouchet // Maître imprimeur, // Maître graveur, // auquel l'auteur du texte // et des dessins // exprime tout son contentement // d'avoir été // si bellement imprimé, // si habilement traduit sur bois // Paul Valéry The copy has also been enriched with 17 original drawings by the author used for the publication, including 9 on tracing paper, done in pencil or ink; some are annotated, probably by the printer. Two other charcoal drawings, unsigned but attributed to Valéry, complete the set: one depicts a desk in front of a closed window, the other a bust of a man wearing a large hat. Cover browned, but a perfectly preserved copy. Provenance: Pierre Bouchet.