Sonnets [de l'Olive]

Paris: Jean Berque and Philippe Gonin, 1938. Hard cover. Very Good. Folio (34 cm); [iv], 127 pages, and 36 original dry-point illustrations, 20 of them printed on separate leaves laid into the text, the remaining 16 printed in text. Edition limited to 200 copies, the first 100 on vélin antique, of which this is number 92, signed in pencil by Berque on the justification page. Leaves laid in loose in original publisher's vellum-backed portfolio, preserved in pasteboard slipcase. Some light wear to slipcase, with a dampmark in its upper left corner; no other blemishes. Reference: Carteret, IV, 46.

With this book of sweet love poems in the Italian style, Du Bellay (1522-1560) successfully promoted the sonnet form into French literary fashion. The delicate and graceful nature of the love poems are a perfect match for the 20th-century illustrator Jean Berque, who decorated the text with simple and pleasing images of rural youth. The handmade paper further compliments the sensuality of the text and illustrations.