THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS by DUMAS, Alexandre. (CHAMPOLLION, Eugene-Andre). (MASSE, Pierre-Augustin) - 1897

DUMAS, Alexandre. THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS by Alexandre Dumas, Fils. [Illustrated with] Ten Etchings. (With a preface by Jules Janin and a hitherto unpublished preface by the author). Philadelphia:: Printed only for Subscribers by George Barrie & Sons,, 1897. First edition thus, with "hitherto unpublished preface" by Alexandre Dumas, "Edition Magnifique" issue, limited to five copies ("identified by the asterisks "*" to "*****") [this being copy number one, i. e. copy "*"], extra-illustrated with forty etchings (including ten plates "finished in water-colors") . Binding is lightly rubbed at extremities, spine has light wear on raised bands, upper spine, at gilt-stamped title, is nicked, with small scuff-mark (causing abrasion of two gilt-stamped letters in printed title), light, early stain at base of spine (circa one-half inch by one inch, causing darkening of green leather at lower edge of spine, and faintly visible on front and rear covers at lower edge of spine), delicate silk flyleaves are creased, with light wear and loss to silk, resulting in fraying and loss along fore-edge, else a very good copy, with the binding bright, text and plates are fresh and clean. . All edges gilt, with a finely executed color fore-edge painting. . (reproducing 10 drawings by Albert Lynch, each plate reproduced in four different states) ["This edition of The Lady of The Camellias with a preface by Jules Janin and a hitherto unpublished preface by the author have been completely translated by William Walton. The Etchings are by Eugene-Andre Champollion and Pierre-Augustin Masse and Drawings by Albert Lynch"; issued as part of the series Chefs D'Oeuvre du Roman Contemporain. Realists]. Octavo, contemporary full green morocco binding (unsigned), spine stamped in gilt (with title and author), with five raised bands; front and rear pastedowns are green morocco onlays, bordered in gilt, with red and maroon scroll-work, intricately gilt decorated with floral design, moire silk flyleaves, pp. xxxiii, 337 (plus plates, and printed tissue-guards), profusely illustrated with 40 etchings by Eugene-Andre Champollion and Pierre-Augustin Masse, reproducing drawings by Albert Lynch) [ten etchings, each in four states, on different paper, including one "finished in water-colors"].