Signé ; Henry Murger/ Adolphe Bichard - Scènes de la Bohème [1/100 avec suite sur chine, superbe reliure de Cuzin, 2 L.A.S. de Murger] - 1879-1879

Exceptional piece

Henry Murger – Scenes from Bohemia

Luxury illustrated edition (1879) – Limited edition No. 15 – Signed binding by CUZIN – With case – Provenance: Firmin Lacapère (ex-libris) + Librairie SIMONSON
Illustrations: Adolphe Bichard – Paris, 1879 – Large paper copy, illustrated with 13 etchings in two states, bound in full red morocco by Cuzin

Truffled
a portrait of Murger: an etching related to the beginning of the novel
Two handwritten letters signed by Henry Murger.






Author: Henry Murger (1822–1861)

Scenes of Bohemia

Illustrator: Adolphe Bichard — frontispiece and 12 etchings outside the text.

Edition: Paris, D. Jouaust, for Les Amis des Livres, 1879

Total print run: a luxurious edition printed in a limited number, only 118 copies on laid paper.

Published on the original of 1851.

One of the 100 copies bearing the name of the subscriber, number 15, specifically assigned to Mr. Lacapère, a bibliophile and patron of the time, including two states of the illustrations, one of which is before the letter on China.

Signed binding: CUZIN, grand master bookbinder of the 19th century.

Format: In-8, 22 x 14 cm: frontispiece, (2 pages), 442 pages, (1 page), 12 plates.


Illustrations: 13 etchings on strong vellum paper, including an original frontispiece and an added portrait of Murger.

Complete specimen, very fresh, immaculate interior.



Master's binding — signed Cuzin (19th century)

Exceptional full crimson red morocco binding, fine and elegant, signed at the bottom of the first flyleaf, in CUZIN's lace, a renowned name in Parisian bookbinding (active between 1865 and 1900), known for his bibliophilic works that are both sober and sumptuous. Famous for his prestigious commissions (Bibliothèque du Comte de Montesquiou, Amis du Livre, etc.).


Description of the binding:

Full deep red leather, fine grain, velvety patina.
Two panels with five nails, gilded boxes decorated with small gilded irons, title, author, date, and place in gilded letters: 'Henry Murger – Scenes of Bohemia – Paris 1879.'
All gilded edges. Ornate cups and lace interior. Covers and back not preserved.
Triple golden fillet as a border around the dish.
Hard case, felt-lined interior, covered with matching leather, perfectly fitted.
A binding of great distinction, very well preserved, perfectly solid, without major friction, elegant patina.
High-quality luxurious binding in the style of the Second Empire, perfectly preserved, signed, and consistent with the bibliophile edition.




Prestigious Provenance

Armored ex-libris engraved from the library of Firmin Lacapère, a learned 19th-century bibliophile, collector, and member of the Friends of the Book.
His name is also printed on the print run certificate, reserved nominative copy (No. 15).

Old bookstore label: Simonson, bookseller in Brussels — renowned for its literary collections, illustrated book catalogs, bibliophilic, and romantic works.

Traceable specimen, noble provenance, authenticated.


This bibliophile pedigree enhances the historical and patrimonial value of this copy.




Illustrations — Adolphe Bichard

The work is adorned with a frontispiece and twelve original etchings, printed in two states, one on laid paper, it seems (the same as the text), with a caption of the excerpt it illustrates, and the second on chine before the letter.

Lively scenes from the lives of Rodolphe, Schaunard, Colline, Musette, and Mimi — a bohemian atmosphere, Montmartre, cabarets, artist ateliers, poetic Left Bank... Vivid scenes of cafes, cabarets, artist ateliers, bohemian meals, dinner at mère Cadet, Montmartre, elegant poverty, literary flair.

Very fine, romantic engravings, slightly humorous, depicting the artistic vibrancy of Murger's literary Paris — the future inspiration for Puccini's La Bohème.
Signed drawings: A. Bichard, inv. et sc.
Technique: etching, very fine impression, original contours.



Drawing & Justification

Limited edition of only 118 copies, with copies 1 to 100 assigned nominatively to subscribers.
Number 15, bearing the printed name of the bibliophile Firmin Lacapère, patron, art enthusiast, collector.






This copy is enriched with two handwritten and signed autograph letters by Henry Murger, mounted on tabs.
These letters carry:

Letter A – Paris, July 22, 1850, on the letterhead of the Société des Gens de Lettres, clear signature, brown ink.
Subject: editorial approach, collaboration, authorship conditions, financial difficulties, mention of Calmann Lévy.
Handwritten signature: Henry Murger

Letter B – Without header, written around the same time, addressed to Philarète Chales, curator of the Mazarine library; evocation of a performance, feeling of solidarity among artists.
Handwritten signature: Henry Murger

See the photos for details. The writing is difficult to decipher.

Henry Murger's autographs are today extremely rare, even more so when embedded in a luxury edition.

Also included in the work

Addition of a portrait of Henri Murger.
Original etching, printed at Veuve A. Cadart, Paris around 1865–1870.
Author: anonymous but one of the most famous portraits of Murger.
Beautiful impression on strong verge paper, with a clear plaque cavity.
Represent Henri Murger (1822–1861), author of 'Scenes from the Bohemian Life'.




Content and Importance

A foundational work of the Parisian bohemian spirit, published for the first time in 1851.
The work inspired:

Puccini's La Vie de Bohème
The film Moulin Rouge
All the Montmartrois and Latin Quarter imagination.

Hymn to friendship, to elegant misery, to free love, to artistic creation in romantic Paris.
Characters become mythic: Colline, Schaunard, Mimi, Musette, Rodolphe…




Condition

Beautiful, sturdy binding with no hinge weakness, perfect gutter without ridges, well-maintained leather, small traces of the case sliding on both covers.

Very cool interior

Perfect engravings

Perfectly integrated autograph letters, in excellent condition.

Rare bibliophile freshness.