Rare original edition of Memorandum de Barbey ofAurevilly
printed in only 36 copies for the author’s friends.
Original edition printed in 36 copies plus extremely rare ones on Holland paper
de these memories of Barbey ofAurevilly (1808-1889).
One of the rare copies on Holland paper
coming from the library Jolly Bavoillot with ex-libris.
Caen, 1856.
Extremely rare in full morocco of the XIXè century with covers preserved.
Barbey Aurevilly, Jules. Memorandum.
Caen, Imprimerie A. Hardel, 1856.
In-16 square of (2) ff., 107 pp., (1) blank p. Lavallière morocco, gilt decoration, framing fillets, spine with raised bands richly decorated, covers preserved, untrimmed, witnesses. Binding by “Champs”, circa 1870.
155 x 114 mm.
Rare original edition of this collection of memories by Barbey d’Aurevilly, printed in only 36 copies and not sold in commerce.
Rahir, The Bookcase of the Amateur, 308; Vicaire, Manual of the 19th Century Book Amateur, I, 297; Carteret, I, 108; Clouzot, 38.
The print justification states: “This volume printed in small numbers is not for sale“.
The non-commercial edition of these memories of a journey through Normandy was printed in only 36 copies for the author’s friends, with varied color covers and some copies on
Holland paper.
One of the precious copies on Holland paper.
On the cover and title features the cipher of Trébutien, Barbey’s friend who facilitated the volume’s publication.
“Barbey sent his first two ‘Memoranda’ à Trébutien in 1853, but he did not publish them. In 1856, Trébutien requests Barbey a third ‘Memorandum’, which, however, is to be published (non-commercial edition) by the recipient himself, shortly after its writing, during a stay of Barbey in Caen. Barbey, upon leaving Caen, leaves Trébutien an unfinished manuscript and completes it in Paris. This ‘Memorandum’ is thus written for Trébutien, the explicit recipient, appearing at the beginning of the text, but with a view to publication, which is to be distributed (36 copies) to friends.
Barbey here writes a travel journal since the writing coincides, chronologically, with his stay in Caen. Furthermore, Barbey writes a personal journal, which utilizes the registers of autobiography andself-portrait: this stay in Caen corresponds to a significant biographical moment: Barbey had not returned there since 1837, for almost twenty years. The journal, therefore, notes memories, feelings experienced… The journal also stages, in contrast, the friendship for Trébutien and the love for Madame de Bouglon (“the White Angel”). Finally, this third ‘Memorandum’ also holds the literary journal.” (The autobiographical text by Barbey ofAurevilly by N. Dodille, pp. 115-117).
“Le ‘Memorandum from Caen’ (1856), written at the request of Trébutien, reflects the beautiful and decisive experience of returning to Normandy, to family, to race, to faith. But it is also illuminated by the radiant presence of the “White Angel“, who then does not leave the writer’s thoughts. It is with this woman that Barbey goes to Port-Vendres in 1858, an occasion for a last ‘Memorandum’, less interesting.” (Dictionary of Works, IV, 498).
Precious copy on Holland paper, with wide margins and bound in full 19th century morocco with the printed blue covers preserved.
Our research has enabled us to locate copies of this rare original in 4 French public institutions: the B.n.F., the Bibliothèque J. Doucet in Paris, and the Libraries of Troyes et from Caen.
