GUITRY (Sacha). — From MCDXXIX to MCMXLII. From Joan of Arc - Lot 128

GUITRY (Sacha). — From MCDXXIX to MCMXLII. From Joan of Arc to Philippe Pétain. 500 Years of French History. Paris: Raoul Solar, 1951. A substantial large quarto volume, richly illustrated throughout the text and with full-page illustrations, in the publisher’s original burgundy morocco binding, with the title gilded in Roman numerals on the front cover, the spine bearing the name “Sacha Guitry,” a label indicating “From 1429 to 1942” and the publisher’s name at the bottom. A major illustrated edition conceived, compiled, and annotated by Sacha Guitry, tracing five centuries of French history, from Joan of Arc to Philippe Pétain. The Raoul Solar edition is clearly dated 1951 and comprises 394 pages. The volume brings together numerous previously unpublished texts by Pierre Benoit, the Duke of Broglie, Maurice Donnay, Georges Duhamel, Abel Hermant, Jean Tharaud, Paul Valéry, René Benjamin, Pierre Champion, Léo Larguier, Jean Cocteau, Colette, Louis Beydts, René Fauchois, Paul Fort, Jean Giraudoux, Paul Morand, Jérôme Tharaud, and others. It is richly illustrated with works by Guy Arnoux, Pierre Bonnard, Lucien Boucher, Louis Bouquet, Brianchon, Robert Cami, Despiau, Dignimont, Dunoyer de Segonzac, Léon Gard, Jacques Ferrand, Valentin Le Campion, Georges Lepape, Aristide Maillol, Bernard Naudin, Maurice-Edmond Pérot, Utrillo, and others. The initials, headers, footers, and frontispiece illustrations are by Galanis. The volume is particularly remarkable for the variety of its layout, combining reproductions of works of art, facsimiles of manuscripts and signatures, portraits, original compositions, and historical documents. Of particular note is the spectacular double-page spread depicting a library filled with iconic titles of French literature. Copy no. 3680, one of 4,630 copies on vellum published by Johannot, numbered from 306 to 4,935. The print run also includes 63 advance copies on Johannot pure rag paper, each accompanied by an autograph letter, as well as 242 copies on Johannot pure rag paper, signed by the author. This 1951 edition is a reprint of the work originally published during the war; the Institut de France confirms that the project was presented to Philippe Pétain as early as 1942 and that the Raoul Solar edition appeared in 1951. A fine copy in the publisher’s spectacular full burgundy morocco binding, with a few slight marks and signs of wear; the interior is fresh and well-preserved.