Theophile Gautier
Paris: A. Ferroud, 1896.

First published within ‘Une larme du diable’ in 1839, and here published separately for the first time with illustrations by Ad. Lalauze. Drawing on the myth of Omphale, the Lydian queen to whom Hercules was sold into servitude, Gautier evokes the gender role-reversal in which the hero spins wool in women’s clothing while Omphale dons his lion skin and wields his club. One of 50 numbered copies on Japon with a second state of the illustrations with remarques (from a total edition of 300), in a fine half leather binding, signed E. Carayon, retaining the original wrappers and with the prospectus bound in.

Theophile Gautier; Alex. Lunois
Paris: Librairie L. Conquet, 1901.

The principal deluxe illustrated edition of Gautier’s 1858 Egyptological romance, centred on the discovery of the mummy of Tahoser and the narrative of her love for a young Hebrew. Illustrated by Alexandre Lunois (1863-1916), who travelled extensively in Egypt and based his compositions on direct observation of ancient architecture, ornament, and costume. One of 50 copies on Japon, issued with a supplementary suite of the illustrations, bound with the original wrappers and prospectus, in a signed, richly tooled Egyptian style binding by Chambolle-Duru.