STEINLEN (Théophile-Alexandre). Contes à Sara. Paris, Librai - Lot 133

STEINLEN (Théophile-Alexandre). Contes à Sara. Paris, Librairie L. Conquet. L. Carteret et Cie, 1898. In-8 (242 x 165 mm), Bradel blue half-maroq, corners, spine decorated with 5 mosaic cats, cou verture, untrimmed (Carayon). ORIGINAL EDITION. 31 plates drawn by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923), interpreted on wood by Auguste Desmoulins (1850- 1923), narrating ten wordless stories originally published in the newspaper Le Chat noir. Many feature cats and their adventures. ONE OF 50 EXEMPLIES ON CHINESE, the only edition announced; this one is reserved for the publisher. The cover is printed on gray-blue paper. It bears the date 1899. EXEMPLAIRE DE L. CARTERET bearing this autograph note on the flyleaf: "Contes à Sara sont mes débuts dans l'édition, avec de Balzac La Maison du Chat Qui pelote". A fine copy, bound in the period by Emile Carayon, and of perfect workmanship. Carteret (L.), Livres illustrés modernes, 1875-1945, IV, p. 366 ("Recueil rare et coté. Tirage unique: 50 sur chine"); Ray (G. N.), French Illustrated Book. 1700 to 1914, pp. 440-446; Crauzat (E. de), Steinlen. L'oeuvre gravé et lithographié, 1913, no. 604.