Longus / Louis Touchagues - Daphnis et Chloé - 1945-1945

An exceptional copy of Longus's famous pastoral novel Daphnis et Chloé, published in Paris by Éditions du Bélier in 1945. This In-4 format (28.2 cm x 20 cm) volume brings together a total of 227 pages in a single luxurious edition. The great attraction of this piece lies in its superb art leather binding by the master craftsman René Kieffer (retaining the original label from his prestigious workshop at 18, Rue Séguier, Paris) inside. The covers feature an elegant geometric decoration of blind-stamped checkerboards in relief, crowned on the first cover by a large central gilt composition that evokes a stylized oil lamp. Smooth spine with gold titles, gilt head, and the original covers preserved inside. The copy belongs to the coveted series of 700 numbered copies on Lana vélin pur chiffon paper (this being No. 251), within a total edition of 805 copies (of which 21 copies on Auvergne paper with watercolor, 64 copies on Lana paper with an original drawing, and 20 out-of-commerce copies). Work richly illustrated with 85 magnificent compositions by Louis Touchagues, including 2 frontispieces and 18 full-page color plates. Interior and exterior condition: Very good. A genuine jewel of 20th-century French bibliophilia.