Émile Zola

An inscribed first edition of Émile Zola's first book.

• Émile Zola (French).
• Paris: J. Hetzel et A. Lacroix, [1864].
• Octavo.
• [4], 320 pages.
• Inscribed on the half-title to the distinguished literary critic and author, Jules Levallois (1829 - 1903): “à M. Jules Levallois “temoignage du devouement et de la sympathie de l’auteur [a testimony of the author’s devotion and sympathy] Emile Zola.”
• With loosely inserted calling card of the author.
• Text is in French.
• Full blue morocco gilt, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, by Taffin, with the original yellow printed wrappers bound in.

First edition of the author’s first book. Zola was 24 years old when Contes à Ninon, was published.

The calling card, circa 1890 is engraved "Emile Zola / rue de Bruxelles, 21 bis" and inscribed in pen by Zola, "Avec mes remerciements et l'expression de ma sympathie [with my thanks and the expression of my sympathy]."