René Maran, Alexandre Iacovleff - Batouala - très belle édition illustrée

René Maran, Alexandre Iacovleff (illustrator), Batouala. Paris, Mornay, 1928. In-4, VIII-170p. Definitive illustrated edition by Iacovleff and printed in only 480 copies, one of 350 copies on laid paper. It is illustrated with 6 fine hors-texte engravings and numerous in-text drawings. René Maran won the Goncourt Prize in 1921 for this novel, and he was the first Black man to receive it. He was not even supposed to submit his novel for the prize, but his friend, the writer and translator Manoel Gahisto — about whom we dispersed part of the library in 2020 — urged him to send the manuscript to Henri de Régnier and brought the work to the Goncourt Academy. The work was moreover dedicated to Gahisto, and the preface presents Régnier as one of the book’s tutors. Half-morocco binding with dark brown bands, spine with raised bands, gilt head. Minor wear to the corners and to the upper cap, bound without the covers. Beautifully illustrated.

Estimate:£296.66

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