Le Chateau des Désertes
signed first edition Hardcover
1851 · Paris
by Sand, George
Paris: Michel Levy Freres, 1851. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 8vo; pp. 262; t.e.g. Bound in near-uniform half green morocco for Henry Harrisse, peacock marbled covers, the foot of each spine with his monogram. Some scuffing and rubbing to binding, but overall a very good or better copy. Inscribed by the author to her friend: "a mon ami/Henry Harrisse/G. Sand". With Harrisse's ownership signature in ink on the verso of the front free endpaper. Harrisse was born in Paris, but spent most of his younger years in America, where he was a lawyer and historian (and an eminent Americanist). He returned to France in late 1866/early 1867, and began to mingle in French literary circles where he met, and formed a close friendship with, George Sand. He became a fixture in the salons frequented by Sand, Gustave Flaubert, Saint-Beuve and others. His friendship with Sand survived until her death in 1876, and (with most of literary France) he attended her funeral at her house in Nohant. Works inscribed by Sand are uncommon on the market. (Inventory #: JC16176)