Rare, preserved piece of historic Parisian literary ephemera from May, 28, 1948. This book features stunning color lithographs by Albert Dubout. Dubout, usually known for his highly detailed, comedic, and satirical crowds, took a turn here into “grand frisson” (dark, gothic horror) to match Poe’s eerie masterpiece.

Edgar Allan Poe, translated by Charles Baudelaire; Monte-Carlo, Aux Editions du Livre, 1948; printed at l'Imprimerie Centrale de Lausanne with lithographs by Dubout printed by Mourlot Frères; original printed wrappers with glassine jacket; color lithographic plates; copy number 1220 of 3000 on grand vélin blanc; half-title elegantly inscribed and boldly signed by Albert Dubout.

Lightly used; light creasing and edge wear to glassine jacket; slight bumping to spine ends and corners; small nick to lower outer corner of rear cover.

Geneviéve Granger bookplate affixed. The letters A.E.C. stand for Association des Écrivains Combattants (Association of Combatant Writers). Founded after WWI, this elite group of French veterans who were also authors held an ultra-prestigious annual charity festival called L’Aprés-Midi du Livre (The Afternoon of the Book). The 28 Mai 1948 confirms this exact milestone. On that Friday, Paris’s high society, top writers, and elite artists gathered at the Maison de la Chimie for the 18th annual festival. The bookplate was specially designed by Geneviéve Granger as a commemorative token or ticket for attendees of that specific 1948 gala.