Proust (Marcel) Les Plaisirs et les Jours, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, illustrations by Madeleine Lemaire, later cloth, original wrappers (trimmed and window-mounted) bound-in, preserved in custom morocco-backed boards with gilt spine, 4to, Paris, Calmann Levy, 1896.

⁂ Proust's first book, rare signed or inscribed. The recipient "Jules" has sadly had their last name comprehensively excised from the page. A collection of his early writings, Les Plaisirs et les Jours was sumptuously produced but met with only mild critical attention and disappointing sales. It's failure was a blow to Proust's confidence and led in part to the extended hiatus in his writing.