GIDE André Lot n° 45

GIDE André BINDING BY PAUL BONET Prométhée mal enchaîné Paris, Mercure de France, 1899 Small in-12°. Full dark green mosaic morocco (Paul Bonet). Smooth spine decorated with a pattern of small gold pearls with author, title and date in palladium. 1st plate decorated with the same pattern of small gold pearls, whose spacing narrows as the eye moves closer to the border; in the center, abstract decoration repeated from top to bottom in palladium, as well as very fine palladium pearls. 4th plate decorated with the same pattern of small, spaced gold pearls. Each of the linings in the same morocco, edge-to-edge, is decorated identically to its respective plate, in a striking play of mirrors. Endpapers in the same morocco, decorated with the same pattern of small gold pearls. Double marbled paper endpapers. All edges gilt. Fresh covers and spines. Identical morocco jacket with author, title and date in palladium (spine unstained) and lined slipcase (unstained, minor rubbing). Perfect inside. First edition. 1/12 first copies on Hollande (n°2). With autograph signed letter from the author: "To [first and last name crossed out] his Hermit. André Gide". Provenance: Bibliothèque Raoul Simonson (ex-libris) A superb and rare copy in an elegant Art Deco binding designed by Paul Bonet! Ref : Bonet, "Carnets", n°225 (binding by Desmules in January 1933 - gilding by Jeanne in February 1933). Binding presented at the 1933 Salon des Arts Décoratifs (see plate 167).