Description
SAINT-JOHN PERSE.
Eulogies.
Paris: Nouvelle Revue Française, Marcel Rivière & Cie, [6 July 1911]. — In-16, 190 x 125 :(36 leaves, first blank), printed cover. Paperback, black morocco slipcase with overlapping flaps, gilt paper endpapers, black box, the front and back largely covered in green morocco (D. Morcrette, D. Jaquillard, L. and C. Berthaux).
Vignes and Boudrot, Bibliographie des éditions de la Nouvelle Revue Française, 2011, no. 4, p. 22.
An extremely rare first edition, printed in a run of just 110 copies, of Saint-John Perse’s first collection of poetry, published under the name Saint-Léger Léger.
The history of this publication is particularly revealing. These early poems were first published in the *Nouvelle Revue Française* between 1909 and 1911. Upon receiving the June 1911 issue, Saint-John Perse discovered to his dismay that his 18 poems, published under the title Éloges, had been, in his own words, ‘butchered’. An investigation revealed that Gide, then editor of the journal and the sole custodian of the manuscript, had entrusted the copy to an unscrupulous secretary, whose misreading of the author’s handwriting had completely distorted the texts. To rectify this error, Gide took the initiative to have this booklet published, at the NRF’s expense, and it was printed on 6 July 1911. On 22 December 1911, Valery Larbaud devoted a glowing article to it in *La Phalange*. This volume is the fourth work published by the Nouvelle Revue Française.
*Éloges* is, above all, an ode to Guadeloupe, the poet’s native island, and to childhood. This collection lays the foundations for Saint-John Perse’s West Indian cycle and already foreshadows the major themes of his work: exile, the quest for unity, and the evocative power of language.
One of 100 copies on laid paper, enhanced with a leaf inserted at the front, bearing a dedication by the author to George Robinson:
For you, // Dear George Robinson, // from whom I have known nothing but elegance, //
kindness and personal devotion // in the mysterious realm of // ‘publishing’, //
a friendly and grateful // thought from // St John Perse // “Les Vigneaux” //
Giens Peninsula // Summer 1971
A copy in a very fine box and morocco leather slipcase, designed by Daniel Morcrette, crafted by D. Jaquillard and gilded by L. and C. Berthaux, from the prestigious library of Jean A. Bonna.
Spine and edges of the case worn. Some soiling on the cover.
Provenance:
Jean A. Bonna, with bookplate (auction of 26 April 2017, lot 264).
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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