Description

[Beyle (Marie-Henri)], "Stendhal". La Chartreuse de Parme, 2 vol., first edition, first issue, half-titles with ink armorial stamp showing through to verso, final leaf of vol.2 (cancel leaf with advertisement) lacking as often, foxing, contemporary brown patterned and ribbed cloth, spines gilt, a little rubbed, vol.1 binding detached, [Carteret Romantique II, 358; Clouzot 151; Lhermitte 567; Vicaire I, 458], 8vo, Paris, Ambroise Dupont, 1839.

⁂ First edition of the eighth novel by the celebrated French writer Stendhal, published anonymously but mentioned on the title-pages as the author of Le Rouge et Noir, which appeared in 1830/31. La Chartreuse de Parme was written in only fifty-six days, between 4 November and 26 December 1838, and was inspired by both Stendhal's desire to write a Napoleonic novel centred on the Battle of Waterloo and his interest in the life of Alexander Farnese (who would later become Pope Paul III), which featured numerous parallels with that of the novel's main character, Fabrice del Dongo.

The present copy, printed on papier velin and without the indication 'Deuxième édition' on the title-page, represents a rare example from the first issue of this edition.

The novel was enthusiastically received by Stendhal's contemporaries. Of particular note is the opinion expressed by Honoré de Balzac in a letter written to Stendhal on 6 April 1839: upon reading the work, Balzac writes "Il ne faut jamais retarder de faire plaisir à ceux qui nous ont donné du plaisir. La chartreuse est un grand et beau Livre, je vous le dis sans flatterie, sans envie, car je serai incapable de le faire [...]".

Description

[Beyle (Marie-Henri)], "Stendhal". La Chartreuse de Parme, 2 vol., first edition, first issue, half-titles with ink armorial stamp showing through to verso, final leaf of vol.2 (cancel leaf with advertisement) lacking as often, foxing, contemporary brown patterned and ribbed cloth, spines gilt, a little rubbed, vol.1 binding detached, [Carteret Romantique II, 358; Clouzot 151; Lhermitte 567; Vicaire I, 458], 8vo, Paris, Ambroise Dupont, 1839.

⁂ First edition of the eighth novel by the celebrated French writer Stendhal, published anonymously but mentioned on the title-pages as the author of Le Rouge et Noir, which appeared in 1830/31. La Chartreuse de Parme was written in only fifty-six days, between 4 November and 26 December 1838, and was inspired by both Stendhal's desire to write a Napoleonic novel centred on the Battle of Waterloo and his interest in the life of Alexander Farnese (who would later become Pope Paul III), which featured numerous parallels with that of the novel's main character, Fabrice del Dongo.

The present copy, printed on papier velin and without the indication 'Deuxième édition' on the title-page, represents a rare example from the first issue of this edition.

The novel was enthusiastically received by Stendhal's contemporaries. Of particular note is the opinion expressed by Honoré de Balzac in a letter written to Stendhal on 6 April 1839: upon reading the work, Balzac writes "Il ne faut jamais retarder de faire plaisir à ceux qui nous ont donné du plaisir. La chartreuse est un grand et beau Livre, je vous le dis sans flatterie, sans envie, car je serai incapable de le faire [...]".

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