VALLÈS (Jules). — *L'Enfant*. Woodcuts by Henri Barthélemy. - Lot 283

VALLÈS (Jules). — *L'Enfant*. Woodcuts by Henri Barthélemy. Paris, Georges Mornay, “Les Beaux Livres,” 1920. Square 8vo, paperback, light gray embossed cover, printed in red and black and adorned with the publisher’s mark; 439 pp., approx. VII pp., untrimmed. The fourth volume in the famous “Les Beaux Livres” collection published by Mornay. A beautiful edition illustrated by Henri Barthélemy with original woodcuts, including a two-tone frontispiece, as well as numerous woodcuts in the text, headpieces, initials, and tailpieces. The typography, executed with particular care, is enhanced with red and black printing. Bibliographic descriptions agree on these characteristics. The print run is limited to 1,000 numbered copies, plus 40 non-commercial copies: 1 first-edition copy on Imperial Japan paper with preparatory sketches, print sets, and a special cover; 4 copies on Imperial Japan paper; 60 on Imperial Japan paper; and finally, 935 copies on paper from the Manufactures de Rives, numbered from 66 to 1,000. Copy on Rives paper. Condition: a fine copy in its original publisher’s binding. The cover is slightly soiled and yellowed; the spine is somewhat faded, with minor wear on the head and foot; there is some rubbing and minor surface imperfections. The interior appears clean and well-preserved. The woodcut illustrations are beautifully printed, with good contrast and vivid colors. This edition is particularly appealing in its original decorated paperback binding, which is often replaced in the hardcover copies found today.