BLOY (Léon). - Lot 118

BLOY (Léon). Méditations d'un Solitaire en 1916. Paris: Mercure de France, 1917. - In-16, dark green half-maroquin, gilt super-libris on first cover, ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover preserved (period binding). First edition of this poignant essay on the First World War, in which the author addresses not only the conflict, but also human suffering, faith and the quest for meaning. "It is the thought, the whole thought of a man from France overwhelmed by the grief of not being able to do better for his country, but who wants to hope that his words will have the power to comfort a few souls mysteriously related to his own. Some passages were removed by the censors. ONE OF 45 EXEMPLIES ON VERGÉ D'ARCHES, enriched with a L.A.S. from Léon Bloy, one page in-12, dated Bourg-la-Reine, July 31, 1917. It is apparently addressed to his publisher, to whom he asks whether sales of "Méditations" continue to be good. He adds: "Some of my correspondents are complaining that they are unable to acquire the 'Poor Woman', which is said to be out of print. I thought there had been a new print run. I know that everything is difficult these days, but this is very annoying." Copy from Count Philipon's library at Château de Vertcœur. All passages deleted by the censor were copied at the time, by a hand other than that of the author. Spine slightly faded. Traces of a bookmark on the title, pages 62-63, 76-79 and 136-137, i.e. where the passages were censored. Provenance: Count Philipon, with super-libris of Château de Vertcœur on the front cover. - Philos Montoy, with his bookplate engraved by Andrada.