Description
BENOIT (Pierre).
The Surroundings of Aden. Novel.
Paris: Albin Michel, [1940]. — In-8, 188 x 126: 316 pp., (2 blank leaves at the end), printed cover. Fawn half-maroquin with bands, gilt and blind-stamped fillets on the covers, plain spine decorated with an oriental motif in a mosaic of black, green, red and white maroquin, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (contemporary binding).
First edition.
This novel immerses the reader in the exotic atmosphere of the Arabian Peninsula under British rule, where a troupe of French actors, stranded in Aden, find themselves unwittingly caught up in the tensions between the British governor and the local sheikh.
One of the earliest copies on Japanese paper (no. O).
A fine copy in a contemporary mosaic binding.
Some scuffing on the spine, a few small light stains on the covers.
Provenance:
Lucien Blaise, with bookplate.
Also included, by the same author:
- *Feux d’artifice à Zanzibar*. Novel. Paris: Albin Michel, [1955]. — In-8, 184 x 123: (2 blank folios), 319 pp., (2 blank folios), printed cover. Blue half-maroquin with corner pieces, decorated ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (Semet and Plumelle).
First edition of this adventure novel, which begins in Lorraine and ends in Zanzibar.
One of the first 60 copies printed on Holland paper (no. LX), well bound by Semet and Plumelle.
Spine faded.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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