Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, Jacques Henri

A unique collection of both the original French and the English translations of the famed novel, together with an awe-inspiring collection of proofs before letters by esteemed French artists.

• Sold as a set of 3.
• Jacques Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (French).
• London, Paris: J. Dodsley, De L'Imprimerie de Monsieur, 1789.
• 3 vols.
• In a custom three-part black and red leather box, gilt titling to spine.

French version:

• Paul et Virginie.
• Paris: De L'Imprimerie de Monsieur, 1789. with half-title.
• xxxv, 243 pp.
• 12 mo.
• Includes 4 black and white plates.
• Unsigned binding, but early invoice states it was bound by Derome.
• Bound in full burgundy morocco, triple gilt rules to boards, spine with gilt titling and tooling, all edges of text block gilt, marbled endpapers, bookplate to front endpaper.

English version:

• Paul and Mary, An Indian Story.
• London: printed for J. Dodsley, Pall-Mall, [1789].
• 2 vols.
• Extra-illustrated with 70 proofs before letters.
• Bookplate to marbled endpaper.
• Bound by Chambolle-Duru with their gilt stamp to front doublure.
• Bound in matching full green morocco with elegant gilt tooling, paneled spines similarly gilt, all edges of text blocks gilt, doublures burgundy morocco with matching design to boards, embroidered silk endpapers facing doublures, marbled endpapers following.

With an autograph letter signed by Saint-Pierre, addressed "Au Citoyen Le Danois" (André Bazile Le Danois de La Soisière), a member of the Council of Ancients, with integral address leaf attached.

Actual text is 25 lines in Saint-Pierre's hand, responding to a letter by Le Danois about a meeting, countering his proposed date of the 8th with the 10th. He then goes on to discuss how he was tricked by a man that he had not seen for 20 years, as well as by a young woman. He defends himself that he in no way was compromising the interests of the Republic. The letter is dated "Paris, ce 7 ventose an 7" ( February 26, 1799).

With invoice circa 1895 from E. F. Bonaventure, with a handwritten description of the three volumes in purple ink.

1. Set of proofs by [Achille] Devéria

2. Set of proofs by Corboald

3. Set of proofs ???

4. Set of proofs Medallions in color

5. Set of proofs Medallions [in color] by Dutailly [Guyot sculp]

6. Set of proofs by Desenne

7. Set proofs by [Jean-Michel] Moreau

8. Set proofs by [Tony] Johannot

9. Set proofs by Corboald (small)

10. Set proofs by Lery[?]

11. Set proofs by [Jean-Antoine-Valentin] Foulquier

12. Autographed letter

In all 70 plates, all proofs