Voyage Sentimental en France et en Italie

Paris: Jules Tallandier, 1920. Hardcover. Very Good +. Hardcover. VERY SCARCE IN THE UNITED STATES. Laurence Sterne (1713-1768) was a British author who was born in Ireland. He is best known for his comic writing, especially The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (released in volumes from 1759–1767). His second most popular novel was A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, initially published in 1768, the year of Sterne's death. It has many similarities to Tristram Shandy, but was considered more sentimental and less bawdy. There have been several translations of this work into French. This volume is a translation by Emile Blemont, first published in 1884. Blemont was a significant French poet and playwright, and he was in the circle of Victor Hugo and the Symbolist poets. More importantly, this 1884 publication was illustrated by a famous French illustrator, Maurice Leloir. According to the Art Institute of Chicago, Leloir produced twelve photogravures and two hundred twenty photomechanical relief prints in black on ivory wove paper for the 1884 edition. This volume was published by Editions Jules Tallandier in Paris. The publication date is not stated, but Jules Tallandier was not established until 1901, and did not immediately publish under this name. Other sources indicate that the date of publication was around 1920. The reproduction of all of Leloir's 12 photogravures appear to be intact, with tissue guards for each, and the other illustrations are also reproduced. This is a very nicely-produced publication, with the interior in near fine condition. Octavo. Three quarter tan leather binding with marbled paper covered boards and leather title label to spine. Illustration in gilt of a lady to the spine. Large chips missing to spine above and below title, heavy wear to hinges, and repaired crack to spine. Gilt label and design on spine. In French. 210 pages. FRE/2133.