Verlaine (Paul) Dédicaces, one of 55 copies on Hollande with an autograph poem by the author, this a presentation copy to a M. Louis, initial and final advertisement ff., half-title, pp.187/188 neat marginal tear at head, the odd other short marginal tear or chip, occasional spotting, lightly browned, original upper printed wrapper bound in, contemporary dark red half crushed morocco, spine in compartments and with gilt title, upper cover detached, head of spine little worn, rubbed and scuffed, t.e.g., uncut, [Vicaire VII, 996; Carteret Romantique II, p. 428], 8vo, Léon Vanier, 1894.

⁂ These copies are 'fort recherches [...] car ils possedent tous un poeme autographe de l'auteur' (Clouzot, p. 267). The autograph poem is 'à Bibi Purée'. Bibi la Purée, known as 'The King of Bohemia', was a former actor turned vagabond and petty thief, who haunted the streets of Montmartre and the Latin Quarter. He survived by shining shoes, and stealing umbrellas, and was painted by Picasso.

Provenance: 'à M. Louis, bien sympathétiquement. P. Verlaine' (ink inscription to blank preceding half-title); Max Boehn (direct transfer bookplate to front pastedown); J.K. Mitchell III, 1906 (ink inscription to front free endpaper).