MISTRAL (Frédéric). Le Poème du Rhône en XII chants. Provenç - Lot 214

MISTRAL (Frédéric). Le Poème du Rhône en XII chants. Provençal text and French translation. Original etchings by P.-L. Moreau. P., Kieffer, 1922. Gr. in-8, red half-maroq, green maroq. band to center of boards underlined with gilt thread, ivory vellum right-hand side, gilt on witnesses, cons. cover and spine, slipcase (Alix). Edition of 250 numbered copies. Beautiful book illustrated by P.-L. Moreau with 36 original etchings. ONE OF 20 HEAD COPYES ON ARCHES FILIGRANE PAPER (No. 1), containing the etchings in 3 states, including the pure etching and the final state as a separate edition or before the engraved titles. This copy is also enriched with a refused etching in 2 states. Attached, in an identical binding signed by M. Gras, is a precious collection of 24 original drawings in black, sanguine and sepia, many annotated, executed on the banks of the Rhône to illustrate Mistral's poems. These remarkable drawings bear witness to the artist's talent, and are reminiscent of the great masters of the 18th century (Guardi, Canaletto). One of the finest modern illustrated books - unique in this condition.