Madame Bovary. by FLAUBERT, Gustave - 1857: Mœurs de province.

Paris: Michel Lévy frères,, 1857. Presentation copy, inscribed to a friend and bookseller from his hometown of Rouen First edition, first printing, first issue, presentation copy warmly inscribed by Flaubert to his friend the Rouen bookseller Auguste Lebrument (1808-1884) on the half-title, "A mon ami Mr Lebrument, souvenir de son tout dévoué, Gustave Flaubert". Flaubert was born and died in Rouen, and set the stage for Emma Bovary's indiscretions in that city - her notorious cab ride around Rouen, described in detail by Flaubert, would have passed Lebrument's shop at 55 quai Napoleon (now 45 quai de Paris). First published in the magazine La Revue de Paris in 1856, the novel was immediately sued for "outrage aux bonnes moeurs" (affront to public decency) and Flaubert appeared before the court on 7 February 1857. Defended by Maitre Sénard, he was found not guilty and publication resumed. Madame Bovary is now acknowledged as one of the greatest novels of its epoch and Flaubert's masterpiece. This copy has the first issue points, with dedicatee's name misspelt "Senart" and continuous pagination between the volumes. The front endpapers have bookplates of later owners A. Perreau and F. Hamon. 2 vols bound as one, near-contemporary brown quarter cloth, titles gilt to spine, marbled sides and endpapers. Housed in a custom leather backed folding case. Half-title to each volume, bound without publisher's advertisements. Some discreet repair to front joint, light wear to ends and corners, clean within, very good condition. Rahir Bibliothèque p. 428; Vicaire 721.