HAZART (Henry). Thirty years or the life of a... Lot 641

HAZART (Henry). Thirty years or the life of a player. Paris: Jules Rouff et Cie, [1890-1891]. - 1 tome in 2 volumes in-8, 262 x 175 : 712 pp. ; pp. 713-1326, (1 f.). Red half-maroquin with corners, gilt fillets, spine decorated with gilt motifs including playing cards, gilt head, untrimmed (V. Champs). First edition of this novel by writer and journalist Abel Pagès (1838-1905), published under the pseudonym Henry Hazart. It appeared in 165 issues in 1890-1891. The illustrations include 166 full-page and in-text woodcuts based on drawings by genre painter Frédéric LIX (1830-1897). PRECIOUS EXAMPLE WITH 148 ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY LIX, used to illustrate the book, all mounted opposite the corresponding engraving. Only 21 illustrations are unaccompanied by a drawing, but the one on the title has two, as do those on pages 40 and 225. The second drawing accompanying the one on page 40 proposes an unpublished subject that should have appeared opposite page 45. All drawings bear the stamp of the Lix sale of June 1897. A fine copy bound by Champs. Rubbing to covers and spines.