LE PUITS DE JACOB (JACOB'S WELL), TEXT BY PIERRE BENOIT, ILLUSTRATIONS BY ARTHUR SZYK, PARIS: ALBIN MICHEL, 1927

[xvi], 323, [i], 8 = 348 pages (7 3/4 x 6 in.; 200 x 150 mm) on Vélin d’Arches paper (extra copies of pp. 105-112 bound after the colophon). Fourteen miniature pochoir illustrations (including a vignette on the title page and an extra copy of the scene captioned “Vous êtes fier d’être juif”) and seventeen chapter initials (including an additional one at front captioned “Dan,” with tissue guard, and another on the extra copy of p. 105 at rear) by Szyk. Color transferred lightly from illustrations to facing pages; small stains on pp. 219, 266. Three-quarters royal purple morocco, with slight wear to corners; spine (faded to brown) in five compartments with raised bands, decoratively tooled in gilt; author name, title, and date lettered in gilt on spine; original wrappers bound in; upper edges gilt; silk bookmark; marbled paper flyleaves and pastedowns; bound by Semet & Plumelle.

Limited edition, number X of XV copies printed on Vélin d’Arches paper and accompanied by an additional original chapter initial by the artist. In this French novel, a poverty-stricken young Jewish woman in Constantinople is transformed into a cabaret dancer. She rediscovers her Jewish heritage, becomes a Zionist, and devotes her efforts to supporting Jewish settlers in Palestine. This work was one of the first books illustrated in color by internationally acclaimed Polish-Jewish graphic artist Arthur Szyk (1894-1951), who created fifteen illuminated chapter initials (twelve of which represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel), as well as twelve magnificent full-page pochoir plates in vivid color, for the project. These exquisite illustrations are remarkable for their rich diversity of hues and detailed representations.