La-Bas [Down There]

Tresse & Stock, Editeurs, 1891 Contemporary Bradel binding of half blue cloth over patterned paper boards, spine with a central gilt fleuron, double gilt fillet and date to foot, brown shagreen title label. Original paper covers preserved. Autograph inscription from Joris-Karl Huysmans on the half-title page: "A Henry Girard / Son ami / J.-K. Huysmans." An important association copy of a book that is rarely found signed. Henry Girard (1877-1935) was an actor, bibliophile, and intimate friend of Huysmans. Girard was part of a group that regularly dined with Huysmans. In his will, Huysmans left Girard a portrait of himself done by Jean-Louis Forain (now in the Musee d'Orsay). Huysmans also dedicated the second part of his book "La Bievre et Saint-Severin" (1898) to Girard. In the collections of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France there are three other books by Huysmans inscribed to Girard, as well as 27 letters from Huysmans to Girard.. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good.