MONTESQUIOU (Robert de). - Lot 187

MONTESQUIOU (Robert de). The Divine Countess. Study after Madame de Castiglione. Preface by Gabriele d'Annunzio. Paris: Goupil & Cie, Manzi, Joyant & Cie, 1913. - In-4, 275x193: portrait, (4 ff. first blank), VII, 247 pp. (2 ff. last blank), 25 plates, printed cover. Havana calf, first cover decorated with a rich relief-modelled and chased decoration, representing in an ogival floral frame a water lily resting on water colored blue, surmounted by two wasps, on the upper cover a series of wasps surmounting the title of the book in chased letters painted red, smooth spine adorned throughout with the author's name in chased and painted red letters, wide gilt roulette framing the inside, white moiré silk lining and endpapers, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (Rosenfeld for the decor and Le Douarin for the binding). First edition of this work dedicated to the Countess of Castiglione (1837-1899), mistress of Napoleon III and considered by some to be the most beautiful woman of her century. Illustrated with 26 plates in black and color, most of them depictions and portraits of the Countess, as well as furniture and objects that once belonged to her. One of 200 numbered copies on Hollande paper. A superb copy in a strictly period binding by Paul Le Douarin, decorated with chased and modeled decoration by Rosenfeld. It was given by the author to a certain Jane Henriet, and includes on a flyleaf this autograph signed dedication in the form of an apparently unpublished poem: Pour l'Exemplaire de: // Madame Jane Henriet. // Quelqu'un m'a parlé // D'un éventail en dentelle, // peut-être perlé, // Sous lequel elle a pleuré. // Il était fleuri, // Il a palpité sur elle, // Ce fut un abri // Sous lequel elle a souri. // Sourire et pleurer, // Double loi de toutes choses... // Quand on fut les roses, // C'est triste de se faner. // RMontesquiou. Spine very slightly faded. Small tear on the water lily motif, three damp stains on the bottom of the first cover and one on a corner of the second. Corners slightly dulled, some minor rubbing to edges of boards. Provenance: Jane Henriet, with dedication by the author. - Ex-libris J. L. H.