Paul & Virginie La chaumière indienne Flore.
BERNANDIN DE SAINT-PIERRE, Jacques-Henri. París, 25 Rue Sainte-Anne: L. Curmer, 1838

Fine edition of this important work first published in 1788. Magnificent binding by Simier. Manuscript letter from Bernandin de Sait Pierre. The young Paul and Virginie, whom their mothers raise as brothers on the paradisiacal island of Mauritius (Île de France,) fall in love when they arrive at the adolescence. To avoid the consequences, Virginie’s mother sends her to Europe, and in her trip back the boat is caught in a storm, education prevents Virginie from taking off her clothes in front of the sailors, so she dies drowned. Paul dies after a short time of sorrow, as do the mothers of both youngsters. The work was an unprecedented success, being translated into several languages and strongly recommended reading for the teenagers of the time. The text is still an important part of the history of French literature. Because the violence of the emotions its an important predecessor of literary Romanticism. This illustrated edition includes an introduction to Saint-Pierre, by the prestigious literary critic and historian, Sainte-Beuve (1804-1869). It includes a second work by Saint- Pierre, La Chaumière indienne, first published in 1791. The story of an English doctor who in one of his trips to India knows a pariah who, in spite of the injustices who suffers, seems to have found the secrets to happiness. It also comprises a 37-page section on flora in Mauritius and India. Jacques-Henri Bernandin de Saint-Pierre (Le Havre 1737 – Eragny-sur-Oise in 1814) disciple of Rousseau, great observer of the natural world. He is characterized by freshness and sensitivity of his work, clear forerunners of what would later become literary Romanticism.

400 vignettes in the text, 29 hors-texte woodcuts after Meissoner, Tony Johannot, Isabey, Paul Huet, Merville Steinheil etc, by Lavoignat, Brevière, Porret, Smith, Hart, etc. Seven steel-engraved hors-texte portraits by Lafitte, Tony Johannot and Meissoner, a colourful steel-engraved map of Ille de France. The hors-texte, the portraits and the map are printed on chine collé. First printing at the address of rue Saint Anne, containing all the serpents with the printed legends. The following are bound contemporary:

• the portraits of the Doctor and of the madam de La Tour, on chine collé;
• the portrait of the bonne femme, printed separately on chine volnat;
• the portrait of Curmer printed on chine monté;
• two original pencil drawings signed by Français used for the illustration of pages 282 and 302;
• an autograph letter signed by the artist;
• an autograph letter signed by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre.

28 x 18.5 cm pp. [7] 10-458 [5]. Binding by SIMIER . Fine condition