Goethe ; Franz Schubert ; Catulle Mendès - Le Roi des...

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; Franz Schubert; Catulle Mendès, The King of the Elves. Paris, Pelletan, 1904. 4to, unpaginated [52] pp. Original edition of Catulle Mendès’ translation, unique issue of 214 copies, this one no. 190/200 vellum from the vat of the Marais papermills. Decorated edition with thirteen color plates by Henri Bellery-Desfontaines, engraved by Ernest Florian (the new issue, which reproduces 2 of them, advertises 17!). Decorated frame, titles, letters, inked in red. All these details make this work a magnificent illustrated edition. The prospectus Vient de paraître is bound after the first cover. The poem Erlkönig, written in 1782, has been set to music many times and Schubert’s version is the best known. It was composed in 1813. The text, for its part, was translated by Charles Nodier, Jacques Porchat and thus here by Catulle Mendès. Binding signed G Hermand (unknown at Fléty), bradel, full marbled calfs, smooth spine, gold-tooled and blind on the boards, ruling along the borders of the endpapers, gilt head, covers and spine preserved. Scuffing at the corners, spine, joints. Small stain on two leaves. A superb, rare work.

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