HERVILLY (Ernest d'). - Lot 72

HERVILLY (Ernest d'). La Belle Saïnara. Japanese comedy in one act in verse. Paris : Alphonse Lemerre, 1876. - In-18, Bradel-style blue half-maroquin, smooth spine, red head, untrimmed, cover preserved (Franz). First edition of this little comedy first performed at the Odéon national theater in November 1876. It ends with a song entitled "La Jonque des amants", set to music by Armand Gouzien. EXEMPLAIRE DE JULES CLARETIE, enriched with this autograph letter signed by the author on the false title: "mon cher Claretie, je // t'envoie cette gaîté orientale // E. d'Hervilly." An original watercolor by the author accompanied by an autograph quatrain signed in connection with the play has been added, bound at the head, as well as a L.A.S. from the author, December 29, 1878, one page in-8, addressed to an artist. Rubbing to covers and spine. Provenance: Jules Claretie, with signed autograph dispatch. - Jules Couet, librarian-archivist of the Comédie-française, with bookplate.