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Description
CONRAD (Joseph).
Heart of Darkness.
Paris: Librairie de la Revue française, [1928]. — In-4, 276 x 216: (4 leaves, the first 2 blank), 162 pp., (5 leaves, the last 3 blank), 5 plates, printed cover. Binding formed on the covers from two large triangular pieces arranged in a mirror image, with red morocco on the inside and black morocco on the outside, plain spine in black morocco, wide border of red and black morocco on the inside, red silk endpapers and linings, edges gilt on endpapers, cover and spine preserved, edged slipcase (Creuzevault).
A deluxe edition of this short story by Joseph Conrad, in the French translation by G. Jean-Aubry and André Ruyters.
This text, first published in 1899 in Blackwood’s Magazine, is inspired by the author’s personal experiences in Africa. The story follows Charles Marlow, a British sailor tasked with travelling up the Congo River to find Kurtz, an ivory trader who has become a ruthless tyrant after venturing deep into the jungle. Marlow plunges into the depths of colonial barbarism and dehumanisation; mindful of the norms and conventions of his society, he perceives with clarity the gulf between Europeans and Africans, whilst asserting, despite everything, a shared humanity.
The edition is illustrated with 19 colour-enhanced compositions by Charles FOUQUERAY (1869–1956), including 5 full-page plates.
One of the rare copies from the exceptional print run of the ‘Collection du Paon Blanc’, limited to 25 numbered copies. This copy, bearing the number A-4, is printed on Japon paper and enhanced with an original watercolour signed by the artist (the one opposite page 116) as well as a series of black-and-white illustrations on Japon paper. The print’s colophon states that these copies should include two watercolours. However, the series is not mentioned there.
A very fine copy bound by Creuzevault.
Slight rubbing on the spine and hinges, nothing serious.
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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