RIMBAUD (Arthur). Works. Poetry and Prose. Paris, Mercure de - Lot 251

RIMBAUD (Arthur). Works. Poetry and Prose. Paris, Mercure de France, [circa 1912–1916]. Large 8vo, paperback, cream-colored cloth-bound cover printed in black and red, printed spine. Preface by Paul Claudel. Texts revised based on the original manuscripts and first editions, arranged and annotated by Paterne Berrichon, including the *Poèmes retrouvés*. An important edition of Rimbaud’s works compiled by Paterne Berrichon, the poet’s brother-in-law, who collected and revised the texts based on the manuscripts and first editions. It notably brings together *Premiers vers*, *Les Déserts de l’amour*, *Les Illuminations*, *Une Saison en enfer*, as well as various rediscovered texts and plays. The first edition in this form was published by Mercure de France in 1912, with the famous preface by Paul Claudel. The BnF confirms this 1912 edition and subsequently lists several reprints, notably in 1916, 1920, 1924, and 1929. The 1912 compilation marked an important milestone in Rimbaud’s publishing history, as Berrichon had drawn upon several original manuscripts to improve upon the previously published texts. Copy numbered 3783. Paperback, untrimmed, in its original cover. The copy is generally well preserved; slight marks and minor wear on the cover and spine, a few creases and minor edge defects, interior fairly fresh. Bibliophilic interest: a sought-after edition because it is one of the first major collected editions of Rimbaud’s works and preserves Paterne Berrichon’s edition accompanied by Claudel’s preface. However, this is not the first edition of Rimbaud’s works: a first collected edition had already been published by Mercure de France as early as 1898.