La dame aux camélias

/ Illustrations en couleurs de Paul-Émile Bécat. Paris : L’Édition d’Art H. Piazza, 19 rue Bonaparte, [1935]. One of 2400 examples on vélin chiffon numbered 601 to 3000 (this copy is no. 1678). Octavo (200 x 145 mm), near-contemporary deluxe binding of half red morocco over marbled papered boards, spine in compartments with gilt decoration and lettering; marbled endpapers; original illustrated upper wrapper and spine bound in; pp. [6], xx, 322, [2]; with numerous colour Illustrations by Bécat (many full-page); a very fine copy.

This attractive edition of La dame aux camélias, Dumas’ celebrated semi-autobiographical novel first published in 1848, was illustrated by the renowned French painter, printmaker and engraver Paul-Émile Bécat (1885-1960), an artist perhaps best known for his erotic works. The tragic romance story was the inspiration for Verdi’s opera La Traviata, as well as the Hollywood movie Pretty Woman.