A. t'Serstevens - Essais de Montaigne: Presbion ou de la vieillesse [1/25 de tête sur Japon] - 1928

Full title: Supplément au Livre III, Chapitre II des Essais de Montaigne: Presbion ou De la Vieillesse
Edited in Paris by Éditions du Trianon, 1928.
A tall quarto, 19 x 13 cm, 72 pages, illustrated with 4 original etchings by Émilien Dufour and wood-engravings by Jacques Boullaire, with several hors-texte plates and a separate suite. This copy is one of 25 deluxe copies on Imperial Jap a n, here no. 3, with a suite of engravings on loose leaves. Publisher’s binding in decorated cover, spine printed, pages untrimmed.
Structure of the work
This volume constitutes the third title in the collection "Suppléments à quelques œuvres célèbres," directed by André Billy and René Dumesnil. It is a complete, autonomous work with no announced sequel. The text is a pastiche-homage written as a fictitious “supplement” to Montaigne’s Essays, divided into thematic sections but without rigid numbering. The illustrations punctuate the text like typographic fleurons, enriching the visual aspect of the discourse.
Theme of the book
Presbion or De la Vieillesse takes the form of an essay in the style and spirit of Montaigne, exploring with erudition, irony, and modernity the effects of aging. T’Serstevens blends antique references, personal confessions, and sharp observations on the foibles of middle age. It is a meditation on the loss of vigor, the memory of youth, but also on the lucidity gained. The text alternates between seriousness and facetiousness, wisdom and ridicule, in direct echo of Montaigne’s original Essays.
Brief biography of the author
Albert t’Serstevens (1886–1974) was a Belgian-born writer, essayist, columnist, and avid traveler who became French. He first established himself in letters with historical novels and travel narratives (Maghreb, Latin America), then as a specialist in Spanish literature. His scholarly yet lively style, his taste for picturesque detail, and his free tone set him apart in 20th-century French literature. A respected figure in the Paris literary world between the wars, he is also known for annotated editions of Cervantes and studies on the sea.
About the illustrators
Émilien Dufour (1883–1954) was a French engraver and draftsman active in the 1920s–1940s. He contributed here four original etchings, printed intaglio by J.-E. Tanner. His portraits after Montaigne and the author are of great delicacy, capturing expressions with a confident and expressive line.
Jacques Boullaire (1893–1976), for his part, illustrates the text with numerous black wood engravings, some hors-texte. A recognized painter and engraver, he is known for stylized, modern compositions often used in carefully crafted bibliophile editions. His contribution reinforces the visual elegance of this precious edition.
Historical significance of the book
This book belongs to a vibrant bibliophile current in the 1920s: a rediscovery of classical works through rewritings or fictitious supplements. This intellectual approach, a cultivated blend of homage and parody, is characteristic of a golden age of French publishing, led by refined publishers like Trianon. The limited edition (here one of 25 deluxe copies on Imperial Jap a n) and the rich iconographic apparatus make it a work of art intended for bibliophiles. It reflects the humanist spirit of an era still haunted by the aftershocks of the Great War, seeking timeless wisdom.
Condition of the volume
Very good overall. The decorated cover is well preserved, with very light marks on the spine (see photo). Interior clean, no foxing, very soft Japanese paper, pages untrimmed. Engravings in perfect condition, with a complete suite of plates supplied separately on loose sheets. Copy numbered 3, among the 25 on Imperial Jap a n with suite.
Nota bene: as I am not a professional bookseller I cannot always provide a professional description, especially for bound volumes, nor all conservation details. The photos are an integral part of the descriptions given in good faith and I am available to answer specific questions.
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Regarding the value of the book
This work is today sought after by collectors of illustrated books from the interwar period, particularly in its deluxe copies. Editions du Trianon are known for their bibliophilic quality. On the current market (August 2025), copies on Hollande or Rives range from €80 to €150 depending on condition. The 25 deluxe copies on Jap a n with suite, like the one presented here, are markedly rarer and more sought after: on Abebooks, Vialibri, and Bibliorare, these copies are very rarely offered; a similar copy sold in 2023 around €350 on a specialized auction site. Depending on demand, condition, and the presence of the suite (confirmed here), an estimated value between €300 and €400 seems justified for this no. 3 copy."