Le Diable Amoureux, Nouvelle Espagnole [Unopened]

Paris: Chez Camille Bloch, 1921. Limited Edition. Wrappers. Fine. Copy No. 534 of 575 copies, "Réimprimée selon l'édition originale," with the final state of the engravings. Demy 8vo (226 x 140mm): ix,[1],152,[4]pp, printed on on Arches vergé, with six full-page burin engravings (including frontispiece), woodcut initials and chapter heading, and inserted sheet of music. Publisher's blue laid paper wrappers, decorative title label printed in black to upper cover, edges uncut. A remarkably fresh copy, completely unopened and virtually pristine. Laboureur 194. First published in 1772, this occult romance recounts the exploits of Satan and his attempts to seduce a young nobleman by taking the form of a beautiful woman. The Le Diable amoureux inaugurated a literary style known as fantastique, in which surreal events intrude on reality, and the reader is left guessing whether the events actually occurred or were merely figments of the character's imagination. Laboureur based his exquisite engravings on the originals. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).