Marcel Aymé, Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Graham Greene, Jacques Perret. Illustrateurs : Gen - Lot 5 Cartonnages NRF Gallimard PAUL BONET - Éditions Numérotées - 160 Aquarelles Hors-Texte - ÉTUIS - 1957-1962

TITLE: Set of 5 volumes in NRF publisher’s cloth bindings - Maquettes by Paul Bonet

AUTHORS: Marcel Aymé, Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Graham Greene, Jacques Perret.

PUBLISHER: Gallimard, NRF (Nouvelle Revue Française).

YEARS: 1957 - 1962
PAPER: Plumex vellum from Papeteries Téka.

DESCRIPTION OF THIS EXCEPTIONAL LOT:
Attention to discerning collectors and bibliophiles. Here is a superb, perfectly homogeneous set of 5 flagship volumes from the famous NRF publisher’s cloth bindings collection, rebound according to the original maquettes created by master bookbinder Paul Bonet.

Each volume is a strictly numbered special edition, enhanced with magnificent color plates of hors-texte illustrations (watercolors) executed by the greatest painters and illustrators of the 20th century. In total, this lot contains no fewer than 160 visual masterworks.

Detailed listing of the 5 included volumes and their numbering:
1. Marcel AYMÉ - Parisian Novels followed by Uranus (1959) - NUMBERED COPY 1944. Contains 32 hors-texte watercolors (Gen Paul, Vivancos, B. Kelly, Demonchy, J.-D. Malclès, Perraudin, Déchelette). With its original illustrated slipcase.

2. Jean-Paul SARTRE - Theatre (1962) - NUMBERED COPY 4356. Includes 9 major plays (No Exit, Dirty Hands, The Flies...). Contains 32 hors-texte watercolors (H.-G. Adam, A. Masson, R. Chapelain-Midy, L. Coutaud, F. Labisse). With its original salmon slipcase.

3. Jacques PERRET - Short Stories (1961) - NUMBERED COPY 1963. Groups 5 collections. Contains 32 hors-texte watercolors (B. Kelly, P. Alary, J.-P. Péraro, G. Beuville, A. Collot). With its original ochre slipcase.

4. Ernest HEMINGWAY - Novels (1957) - NUMBERED COPY 1542. Contains his masterpieces (The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms...). Includes 32 hors-texte watercolors (Y. Brayer, Chapelain-Midy, É. Legrand, R. Naly, P.-Y. Trémois). With its original illustrated slipcase.

5. Graham GREENE - Novels (1960) - NUMBERED COPY 2818. Contains 4 major novels. Includes 32 hors-texte watercolors (B. Kelly, C. Portinari, F. Masereel, L. Fleury). With its original yellow slipcase.

KEY SELLING POINTS / CONDITION:
The exceptional freshness of this lot makes it a rare opportunity on the market:
- Interiors: “Like new” freshness. The paper remains very white, head edges pristine. COMPLETE ABSENCE of foxing, pinholes, or humidity stains, which is extremely rare for editions of this age.
- Bindings: Cloth bindings very well preserved, with solid spines, perfectly straight. The colors of Paul Bonet’s decorative bindings and the original gilding are vibrant.
- Protective coverings: Remarkably, ALL volumes still have their original transparent protective plastic film (the rhodoid), bright and undamaged (very light natural patination at the crown).
- Cases: The 5 original rigid card slipcases are included. They are complete, sturdy and not split, protecting the books perfectly (minimal normal edge wear).

A spectacular decorative set for a library, uniting the pinnacle of 20th-century literature with the art of publisher’s binding.