Paul Claudel - Connaissance de l'Est - 1914

The copy you describe is part of one of the most prestigious and sought-after editions in modern bibliophilia: the so-called “Korean” edition of Connaissance de l’Est by Paul Claudel, published in Beijing in 1914 under the meticulous artistic direction of the writer and archaeologist Victor Segalen.

Your copy, bearing the number 518, belongs precisely to the main impression of this literary-artistic work.

The Print Specifications: The total edition is limited to 630 copies. Yours (no. 518) is part of the 570 copies printed on Korean vergé paper (sometimes referred to as vergé pelure).

The work consists of 2 octavo volumes.
The sheets are folded and sewn “à la chinoise” (printing on one side of each double leaf).
The text features 61 printed initials engraved in red (cinnabar ink) and black.
The whole is normally protected by a cardboard slipcase with flaps (called t’ao) covered in blue silk or cloth, closed with leather thongs and bone brooches.

This edition is particularly rare and actively sought after by collectors of Paul Claudel, Victor Segalen, and lovers of artists’ books from the Orient.

This edition of Connaissance de l’Est has continuous pagination across the two volumes, totaling 226 pages of text, preceded by 6 pages of preliminary matter (title, dedication, table of contents).