Tristan Corbière - Les Amours Jaunes [1 des rares ex. sur Hollande — L.A.S. du préfacier Charles Le Goffic] - 1911

An elegant and bibliophilic copy of the legendary collection by Tristan Corbière, 'Les amours jaunes,' in a definitive edition and partly original, bound in half-calf leather with corner tips signed by Huser. One of the few copies on Holland with the reproduction of Corbière's illustration from the original edition! A rarity, enriched with a lengthy letter from Charles le Goffic, the preface writer of this edition.
A refined piece, from a sought-after Messein edition, a witness to Corbière's rediscovery in the early 20th century.

Tristan Corbière

The Yellow Loves - That – The Yellow Loves – Armor – Serenade of Serenades – The People of the Sea – Rondels for Afterwards – Appendix

Final edition
Paris, Albert Messein successor of Léon Vanier, 1911

One of the few in Hollande (no mention of large paper edition but an old handwritten note on the back cover: 'partially original / one of the few in Hollande' (an annotation from the period by a bibliophile or bookseller)), the paper is quite recognizable! No other copies on large paper in past sales or with the bookseller: extremely rare, so I think no more than 10 copies... There should also be a few in Japan. The luxury editions were supposed to include the famous self-portrait drawn and engraved in etching by the poet as the frontispiece of the 1873 edition: this self-portrait is not mentioned in the regular editions.

Format: In-12 (19 x 13.5 cm envelope.)

Pagination: 318 pages

Paper: Hollande paper. Printing on this unknown paper: very unlikely, probably.

Printed ex-libris 'RH' glued on the front endpaper — very graphic Art Deco design (stylized books, monogram RH).

Stamp 'G. Huser' discreetly placed on the front of the first endpaper, as bookbinders often do.

Illustration outside the main text
Portrait photograph of Tristan Corbière used as a frontispiece, present on all copies.
- Famous self-portrait drawn and engraved in etching by the poet, featured as a frontispiece in the original 1873 edition: here printed on china paper. It was not present in all copies but reserved for a few on special paper, or sometimes added by the binder at the request of the client; I cannot say for sure... Perhaps it is the one from 1873? It is bound here after the title page, which supports the hypothesis of an addition.

Old handwritten manuscript on the back cover: 'partially original / one of the few in Holland' (period annotation by a bibliophile or bookseller).


Signed by Georges Huser (his stamp ('G. HUSER') is discreetly embossed on the upper end of the front endpaper), simple, half-havana or brown-golden morocco (spice ginger hue) with corner protectors, very elegant, with a beautiful patina.

Two to five false raised bands, with gilded title and author's name. Vintage at the tail of the spine. Covers and spine preserved.

Golden head, preserved witnesses, not clipped.
Georges Huser, active in Paris in the first third of the 20th century (around 1905–1935), was a recognized bibliophile bookbinder.
Huser is appreciated by bibliophiles for his fine, understated bindings that are not ostentatious, in contrast to the grand decorative binders (Marius Michel, Devauchelle). He is a trusted binder, chosen by enthusiasts for important editions, but without a pursuit of absolute luxury, rather in the spirit of 'silent bibliophilia'.





Tristan Corbière (1845–1875)

Breton cursed poet, precursor of Rimbaud and Laforgue, Corbière is the author of a single collection: Les Amours Jaunes, published at the author's expense in 1873.
Ignored during his lifetime, he was only truly rediscovered by Verlaine (Les Poètes maudits, 1884), then republished by Messein (1904, 1911), becoming a major figure of symbolism.



Les Amours Jaunes

This collection gathers prose and verse poems, imbued with irony, melancholy, and corrosive humor. The language is raw, maritime, and in complete rupture with academic poetry.

The volume contains notably:

That – The Yellow Loves – Armor – Serenade of Serenades – The People of the Sea – Rondels for Afterwards – Appendix


Preface by Charles Le Goffic, who regards Corbière as an emblematic figure of symbolism and the 'first modern poet'.

Very good overall condition: the exterior is almost perfect; a slight rubbing can be noted on one corner and an imperceptible dulling of the upper corners. The interior is very fresh, with no foxing or spotting. Only the title page is yellowed due to the frontispiece page featuring a photo of Corbière, printed on a different (glazed) paper that has transferred onto the facing page.



On joint

A handwritten letter by Charles Le Goffic

Superb and dense handwritten letter signed by Charles Le Goffic, one of the great Breton writers of the Belle Époque, addressed to a journalist friend.
A document of exceptional richness, revealing the behind-the-scenes of critical and literary work: article projects for L’Éclair, Le Républicain Finistérien, journalistic investigations, notes on maritime Brittany, Molène, Ouessant, the little Venice of Versailles, and more.


Double folio in-8 (11.5 cm by 17.5 cm per sheet), totaling 4 pages, cream laid paper, with a light vertical fold line.

Readable handwriting in black ink. About 75 lines (including polite phrases, introduction, and conclusion).
Corresponding envelope attached: from Le Goffic to Mr. Rémy Marc Ferry, 7 Avenue d'Orléans, Paris. Postmark and stamp of the Post Office: 25-8-10 (1910).

Neat signature: Charles Le Goffic, at the end of the letter.

Dates mentioned: at the top right of the front — most likely August 1910.
Recipient: René-Marc Ferry (1864-1912) Pseudonyms: Clayeures and Louis Franville Journalist, René-Marc Ferry is the editor-in-chief of the Weekly Review and director of Minerva.


Very difficult transcription: the essential is conveyed, but the transcription is not free from approximations, errors, and interpretations.

Trégastel, Tuesday

My dear friend

As I was writing to you yesterday, I have
Asked to the Foundation to step out of something.
documents that I had gathered on the
Val and those, indeed, I do not have enough on ??
Rest assured: it's just a test.
I don't have to renew myself with several.
However, another concern is that it can happen.
Notify that my column is beginning with
A book and I then fear exposure.
on your personal attributions.
Should I point out the issue in the attached article, even though I tried to avoid doing so.
Your bibliographic note? I had promised.
At Hachette of ????????. The article could very well pass.
In the Républicain Finistérien, to whom I
But the subject is a [word].
which could also flatter the fiber pa-
Read on to the sadness of the readers of L’Éclair.
The article, see if it is in the right tone.
and especially if it would not overshadow by
There will be one of your articles that interests you.
And, in case it does not suit you,
Only halfway, don't hesitate to tell me.
Return, since I have the copy.
elsewhere

By the way, here are a few topics.
that I propose to address in
The éclair and who are much more.
in my order

1st Molène (about the)
Sign that fishermen have
this remote island in Scotland that
demand that they be granted a
doctor of the sea
Kings of Sein and Ouessant; but
I would like to go to Molène first.
It's a journey, and I'm walking.
Let's do it within 15 days. We need to.
Go to Brest, then from there, a small boat.
Take the boat and maybe pass by.
or two days on the island

Second, regarding the maritime question.
from the investigation by Maurice Calo (?) published in
Le Gil Blas, and which has just been published in
brochure

3rd La Petite Venise (about
The reopening of Maintenon for the trans-
Formation of Venice and the history of the gondolas.
Dollars of Versailles that just came to be told
My friend Fourmoutes (?) and on which
I have here some quite curious personal memories.

4° The Morin shelters (by the way)
Persecutions often renewed in Brittany.
In an admirable act and illustrated by M.
of the Church and to which he provided me.
interesting information

5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, etc. — Articles that
I'm finishing up at Les Pordes, the quarries.
de Plouas, the Return from Iceland, the sardine fishermen, etc.

Finally, as we are inaugurating here.
August 28th, a medallion of Gabriel.
Vicaire (embedded in a rock at Clarté-Ploumanac’h), I could.
I'll give you an article if you want.
On this point, which would bring everything up to date.
Here with a reproduction of the medallion.
I will have a photo taken for you.
It would be a good disposition.
news

So I put on your modesty.
And please believe, my dear friend.
To my most devoted feelings.

Ch. Le Goffic

Charles Le Goffic – Long handwritten letter signed (four pages)


In this long letter, Le Goffic reviews:

the drafting of an article he just sent

your concerns with the writing

his desire not to encroach on the topics addressed by his correspondent

the editorial direction of L’Éclair

the interest that the subject might generate among readers


He then presents an impressive list of upcoming articles, revealing his writer's workshop.

Molène

Planned trip to the island, a maritime doctor’s question, living conditions of fishermen.

Maritime Question

About Maurice Calo's survey (cited precisely).

3. Petite Venise / Maintenon / History of the gondoliers of Versailles

Reference to an old manuscript in his/her/its possession.

The shelters of Morin

Persecutions in Brittany, information provided by Mr. de l’Église.

5 to 8

Other articles in preparation:

the return from Iceland

the Isardiniers


Medallion of Gabriel Vicaire (Ploumanac’h)

It even features an illustrated article with a photographic reproduction of the medallion.

The letter ends with a very friendly and devoted closing.




Author: Charles Le Goffic (1863–1932)

Writer, poet, novelist, critic, member of the French Academy (elected in 1930).
A leading specialist of Brittany, he left behind an abundant body of work marked by regionalism, the study of maritime and rural customs, and intense journalistic activity.


Very good condition