Prosper Mérimée / Mariano Andreu - ‎La Vénus d'Ille. Lithographies originales de Mariano Andreu [num. 51/200 sur vélin de rives] - 1961

Collector's edition of the most famous fantastic short story by Prosper Mérimée, written in 1835 and first published in 1837 in the 'Revue des deux mondes.' In his correspondence, the author confessed about it: 'It is, in my opinion, my masterpiece.'

It is illustrated with 13 original lithographs by Spanish painter and illustrator Mariano Andreu (1888-1976), including a frontispiece, 6 full-page illustrations, and 6 in-text illustrations.

Unique limited edition of 200 numbered copies on large Rives vellum. This one bearing No. 51, printed for Georges Salvago.

Pages, folded cover titled in red, under double mounting (folder + case).

Condition: cover and edges of the case slightly damaged, impeccable interior. In very good condition, non-trimmed.

"The Venus of Ille" takes place in the small town of Ille, where an archaeologist is invited by Monsieur de Peyrehorade to examine ancient ruins. He discovers that a recently unearthed Venus statue causes fear among the villagers due to strange phenomena...

Prosper Mérimée / Mariano Andreu
La Vénus d'Ille. Original lithographs by Mariano Andreu
Paris, Bibliophiles of the Palace, 1961
in-folio (34 x 26.5 cm); 95 pages, 5 leaves & 3 blank leaves