Mitsou ou comment l’esprit vient aux filles

Name: Mitsou ou comment l'esprit vient aux filles
SKU: 29638
Price: 1440 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Colette

Paris, Fayard, 1919.

1 vol. (115 x 185 mm) of 25 p. and [1] f. Blue morocco, spine with raised bands, gilt title, edges gilt on the rough, tan morocco doublures with border, silk endleaves with patterned motifs, double endleaves of marbled paper, original wrappers and spine preserved, matching edged slipcase (binding signed Marius Michel).

First edition. One of 75 copies on pur fil paper (no. 72).

Serialized in five weekly installments and treated somewhat carelessly by Colette herself, Mitsou nonetheless received careful revision from its author before its publication in book form, gaining several decisive pages that made their mark. Proust, upon receiving his copy, wrote to her that he “had wept a little this evening, for the first time in a long while, and yet for some time now I have been overwhelmed by sorrows, suffering and troubles. But if I wept, it was not because of any of that — it was reading Mitsou’s letter. The two final letters are the masterpiece of the book…” Proust, who knew a thing or two about letters and the small effect they never failed to produce, was clearly won over. One can only agree.

From the library of Descamps-Scrive (bookplate).

#29638

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