Corot, Grenaud, Michelin, De Bar and Herst, “Poésies Posthumes”, 1863

“Poésies Posthumes” (Posthumous Poems), 1863, a collection of poems by Edmond Roche (1828-1861) published in Paris by Michel Lévy Frères (fl.1836–1891) after Edmond Roche’s death, illustrated with original etchings printed by Auguste Delâtre (aka Auguste Marie Delâtre) (1822–1907) and Sarrazin (fl.1850–60s). Archive.org offers and online view of this rare publication: https://archive.org/details/bnf-bpt6k1073360b/page/n11/mode/2up.

The etchings are as follows:

Henri Grenaud (1830–1893), “Fontispiece to Edmond Roche’s ‘Poésies Posthumes’”, 1862. Etching with engraving and pale plate tone on heavy wove paper printed facing the title page by Auguste Delâtre.

Camille Corot (aka Jean Baptiste Camille Corot) (1796–1875), “Ville d’Avray: Boat man on Pond (Evening Effect)”, 1862. Etching with drypoint printed on buff China paper chine collé on heavy wove paper facing page 95. This etching relates to Roche’s poem, “L’étang” (The Pond), dedicated to Corot, beginning: “Nous regardions l’étang d’une eau morne et plombée” (We were gazing at the pond with its bleak and leaden water) (p. 94).

Jules Michelin (1815–1870), “Faggot Carrier and Dog by a Pond” (descriptive title only), 1862–63. Etching with drypoint printed on heavy wove paper facing page 10. This etching relates to Roche’s poem, “Soir Triste” (Sad Evening) dedicated to Michelin, beginning: “Le silence s'étend dans l'atmosphère sourde” (Silence spreads in the dull atmosphere) (p. 11).

Alexandre De Bar (aka Pierre Alexandre de Bar) (1821–1901), “Craggy Islands in a Rough Sea at Sunset” (descriptive title only), 1862. Etching with mezzotint-rocker work printed on heavy wove paper facing page 48.

Auguste Clément Herst (aka Auguste Clément Joseph Herst) (1825–1900), “Winter Landscape” (descriptive title only), 1862. Etching with mezzo-rocker printed on heavy wove paper facing page 121. This etching relates to Roche’s poem, “Hiver” (Winter) dedicated to Herst, beginning: “Le ciel est gris, la terre est blanche” (The sky is grey, the earth is white) (p. 121).

Condition: strong impressions stitched into the hardbound book with tissue guards as published. There is foxing to some pages but the marks are mostly on the tissue guards, otherwise the book is in a good condition with minor signs of handling and no tears or significant stains.

I am selling this exceptionally rare book that is seldom seen on the art market or found intact—sadly most copies are scalped for the etchings, especially the very beautiful etching by Corot—for the total price of AU$1473 (approximately US$967.82, EUR 821.53 or GBP 708.07), including express mail shipping worldwide. Import duties, if any, are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this small jewel of a book, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.