PAGES CHOISIES (French language edition, decorative binding - Collection Gallia)

J. K. Huysmans (Introduction by Lucien Descaves)

Edité par J. M. Dent et Fils, Londres, London, 1913

A propos de cet article

A first printing of a French language edition, printed and published in the UK by J. M. Dent in their 'Collection Gallia' series. 'Pages Choisies' roughly translates as Selected Works. A pocket-sized collection. ***Very good in beautifully decorated Art Nouveau style boards, with gilt titles to the spine. The gilt has dulled over time but is still fairly bright. The boards are quite clean, but being a cream colour, there is some marking to the plain back board and also the spine which is dulled. The page block edges are clean - just darkened at the top edge. The binding is straight and firm, with no reading lean, and no cracking - just a strain at the gutter between pp224-5. Internally the book is also very good, with no inscriptions or foxing. No creases or tears. Decorative endpapers. No dustwrapper - it is unclear if the book was issued with one, being from 1913. ***168mm x 110mm. With an 18 page Introduction, dated June 1913, plus 253 printed pages, and Table des Matieres and Publisher's one-page catalogue at the back of the book. ***'Charles-Marie-Georges Huysmans (5 Feb 1848- 12 May 1907) was a French novelist and art critic who published his works as Joris-Karl Huysmans, variably abbreviated as J. K. or J.-K. He is most famous for the novel "À rebours" (1884, published in English as "Against the Grain" and as "Against Nature"). He supported himself by way of a 30-year career in the French civil service. First considered part of Naturalism, he became associated with the decadent movement with his publication of "À rebours". His work expressed his deep pessimism, which had led him to the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer. In later years, his novels reflected his study of Catholicism, religious conversion, and becoming an oblate. He discussed the iconography of Christian architecture at length in "La cathédrale" (1898), set at Chartres and with its cathedral as the focus of the book. "Là-bas" (1891), "En Route" (1895) and "La Cathédrale" (1898) are a trilogy that feature Durtal, a character on a spiritual journey who eventually converts to Catholicism. "La Cathédrale" was his most commercially successful work. Its profits enabled Huysmans to retire from his civil service job and live on his royalties. (Wiki) ***A first French printing in beautiful collectable condition. A nicely produced pocket-sized book in a decorative binding. It is probable that the 'Collection Galla' were French language editions published for readers in the UK. Uncommon. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

N° de réf. du vendeur 7944

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: PAGES CHOISIES (French language edition, decorative binding - Collection Gallia)
• Éditeur: J. M. Dent et Fils, Londres, London
• Date de parution: 1913
• Langue: français
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: First Edition
• Impression: First Printing
• État de l'article: Very Good
• État de la jaquette: No Jacket
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Foreign Language
  • First Editions
  • Antiquarian