Gouttes d'encre. Sonnets de Jules Couderc, antiquaire. OrnÈ d'eaux-fortes originales de Jean-Jules Dufour.

AN OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION COPY. First and only edition of this collection of sonnets, illustrated with SIX STUNNING (and technically accomplished) ORIGINAL HORS-TEXT ETCHINGS BY JEAN-JULES DUFOUR, very much in the style of Charles Meryon. 175 pp. One of only 21 numbered copies on extremely fine Imperial Japanese paper WITH A DOUBLE SUITE OF THE ETCHINGS (on Chinese paper and on Japanese paper), this copy printed for Lydia Cutting (the Countess of Constantinovitch), and her husband the Count of Constantinovich. WITH A SPECTACULAR CALLIGRAPHIC DEDICATORY SONNET FOR THE COUNTESS AND THE COUNT, SIGNED BY COUDERC, ON A PRELIMINARY BLANK. Manuscript correction in Coudrc's hand on p. 127. 4to. Bound in contemporary morocco, elborate gilt dentelles, watered silk endleaves. Top edge gilt, other edges uncut. Original wraps and backstrip preserved. The front wrapper features an additional etching; the back wrapper is illustrated with Couderc's ex-libris, also an original etching (both of these etchings are also by Dufour). Light wear and sunning to binding. Internally clean. A unique item.