COLETTE — APOLLINAIRE (Guillaume) — LAFNET (Luc). Memoirs of - Lot 56

COLETTE — APOLLINAIRE (Guillaume) — LAFNET (Luc). Memoirs of a Cocodette. Written by the author herself. Introduction and bibliographical essay by Guillaume Apollinaire. Engraved plates by Luc Lafnet. Paris, Bibliothèque des Curieux, “Le Coffret du Bibliophile illustré,” [circa 1934]. In-8, paperback, cover lined with cream-colored vellum paper, title printed in black and red, with a slipcase and publisher’s red velvet case; untrimmed. A beautiful bibliophile edition of this 19th-century libertine text, preceded here by an introduction and bibliographical essay by Guillaume Apollinaire, who helped bring to light an entire genre of French erotic and clandestine literature. The book is illustrated with plates engraved by Luc Lafnet, free-standing compositions printed separately from the text, some of which are enhanced with color. Lafnet (1899–1939), a Belgian draftsman and engraver, was a particularly prolific illustrator in the field of bibliophile and erotic publishing during the interwar period. This edition was published in the series “Le Coffret du Bibliophile illustré,” reserved for subscribers. The back cover notably lists, within the same collection, *La Secte des Anandrynes*, *The Correspondence of Madame Gourdan*, *Zoloé and Her Two Acolytes* by the Marquis de Sade, and *Venus in the Cloister*. Strictly limited edition of 750 copies on Rives vellum, all numbered from 1 to 750. This copy bears the number 474. This copy is particularly desirable because it retains its original slipcase, a feature frequently missing from copies available today. Condition: a fine copy, with wide margins, untrimmed. Cover and interior are generally fresh; a few very slight signs of wear. Original case preserved, with wear on the edges and corners, minor scuffs and superficial damage to the red velvet, which do not affect the volume. The set remains very presentable.