MÉRIMÉE (Prosper). - Lot 85

MÉRIMÉE (Prosper). Chronique du règne de Charles IX. Paris: printed for the Friends of Books by Georges Chamerot, 1876. - 2 parts in one volume in-8, 260x168: (4 ff.), XVI pp. miscalculated XV, 213 pp. (1 f. blank), printed cover; (4 ff. first blank), pp. (215)-422, printed cover. Eggplant morocco, boards decorated with a large frame of arabesques and cold fillets, framing in the center a repeating decoration of wavy fillets edged with small scrolls, forming series of compartments, each adorned with a gilt fleur-de-lys in the center, spine ribbed and decorated in the same spirit, gilt lace framing the inside, red moiré silk lining and endpapers, gilt edges, covers preserved (Mercier sr. de Cuzin). Uncommon edition of 115 numbered copies on wove paper, illustrated with 31 etchings by Edmond MORIN (1824-1882), including two frontispieces, a portrait of the author at the head of the preface, 27 chapter headings and a cul-de-lampe. A superb copy, specially printed for M. Marion, beautifully bound by Émile Mercier circa 1900. Usual transfers of the engravings to the facing leaves. Provenance: Suzanne Courtois, with bookplate.