BLOY (Léon). - Lot 59

BLOY (Léon). Le Désespéré. Paris: Nouvelle librairie A. Soirat, 1886. - In-18, red half-maroquin with corners, ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed, front cover preserved (20th century binding). First edition of Léon Bloy's first novel, of which no large paper edition was made. "The publisher P.V. Stock had agreed to edit the book, which was composed and printed in November 1886. Stock abruptly withdrew, fearing that the work would be sued for libel." "After Stock's defection, Bloy managed to find another publisher: Alphonse Soirat, a simple newspaper stockist, agreed to pay for a new composition, on a half-account basis with printer Narcisse Blanpain. The volume went on sale in January 1887" (Catalogue Léon Bloy, BN, 1968, nos. 93 and 94). The cover is dated 1887. Copy with no mention of edition. Rubbing to spine. Soiling to front cover.