Journal Florentin de R. M. Rilke Traduction de Maurice Betz Avec des Illustrations de J. Despierre
Paris: Éditions Émile-Paul Frères, (1946). Limited edition. Softcover. 911 of Nos. 101 to 1600 on white vellum. Quarto. 160(3)pp. Original handmade textured gray artists wraps with red vignette and black lettering on cover, housed in light gray cardboard clamshell box with light blue Rilke initials and black lettering on cover, both protected by modern mylar. Engraved title page with blue lettering, tissue guard. Decorative initials. Illustrated with the title page engraving and eleven additional full page engravings by Jacques Despierre.
"The Florentine Journal, the earliest of the Rilke diaries that have been preserved, runs from April 15 to July 6, 1898. At the age of twenty-one, the poet had then published only a few youthful tales and poems, notably Advent and Couronne de Reve. Begun in Florence, continued in Viareggio and ended in Zoppot, the Journal Florentin is ...a logue, a travel letter in several parts, interspersed with reflections on art, that Rilke wrote for his great friend, Lou Andreas-Salome, in the manner of Goethe recounting his trip to Italy for Madame von Stein."
Text in French. Clamshell box with light wear along edges, few chips, small closed tears; rubbed. Block partially unopened at top edge. Clamshell in overall very good, binding and interior in near fine condition. Very good to near fine condition. Item #49323
Price: $150.00