association copy

A fine association copy, with the author's signed presentation inscription in black ink to the half-title, 'à Pierre Sterlé, en souvenir de Gabrielle Sidonie - ear ou en a parfois assez de s'appeler toujours Colette'.

The recipient was the French Jeweller Pierre Sterlé, of whom Colette was a great friend and client and who would go on to reference both Sterlé and his jewellery in her work.

Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known mononymously as Colette, is best known in the English-speaking world for her 1944 novella Gigi. In addition to being an author, she was a mime, actress, journalist, and woman of letters, whose life has inspired multiple film adaptations including the 2018 film Colette starring Keira Knightley.

First edition, inscribed by the author; 8vo; some toning to preliminary and terminal leaves from wrappers, else unmarked internally; finely bound in half green morocco in panels by R. Chanlaire (stamp to verso of front free endpaper), titles to spine gilt, gilt and red crosses and dots to spine, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, original wrappers bound in; a fine copy.