Descrizione

René Bonnamen's copy (his allegorical bookplate on front pastedown), with four added manuscript facsimiles. These poems are written in Gauthier's characteristic tiny handwriting, but are perfectly legible. The first poem, "Fumée dans les arbres" (16 verses), is a much-altered variant (on Chinese paper) of "Fumée" (from "Emaux et camées"), among Gautier's most beloved poems. The second poem, "Musée secret" (88 verses) is more similar to the published version, but still presents some interesting differences. The third poem, "Nombril" (5 verses), and the fourth, a sonnet beginning "Sur un coin d'infini.", are identical to the published versions. René Bonnamen, who presumably assembled this copy and had it bound, shared Gautier's obsession with the Mona Lisa--Bonnamen wrote "La Joconde, problèmes" (Lyon, 1908). The frontispiece portrait and two other etchings by Manesse are present. 16mo. Beautifully bound by Emile Bonleu in full morocco, spine gilt (signed). Top edge red, other edges uncut. Tiny traces of wear to extremities, else FINE AND BRIGHT.