BOOK. THAIS.

Georges Antoine Rochegrosse) - Anatole France [pseud. for Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault]
THAÏS. QUINZE COMPOSITIONS DONT UN FRONTISPIECE EN COULEURS PAR GEORGES ROCHEGROSSE, GRAVÉES A L'EAU-FORTE PAR E. DECISY.
Paris, A. Ferroud. - F. Ferroud, successeur, 1909.
8vo (25 by 16 cm). [2], 232 pp. + 4 pp. of adverts. + 14 original etchings in three states (42 total), including colour frontispiece, + one mounted colour pochoir fleuron de titre on front wrapper (repeated on title) by Georges Rochegrosse, engraved by Eugène Decisy [1866-1936], each signed in the plate by the artist and engraver.
2 of sets with additional "remarques" (small proof etchings in the same plate). Title printed in red and black.

Entirely uncut, original printed and pictorial wrappers, dust-jacket preserved. All protective tissues preserved. Title printed in red and black.
No. 42 of an edition limited to 65 copies (1200 total), printed on japon impériale, initialed in pencil by the publisher.

First edition illustrated by Georges Rochegrosse.

Georges Antoine Rochegrosse [1859 - 1938], French historical and decorative painter, born at Versailles, studied in Paris, Paris Salon début in 1882, elected an officer of the Legion of Honor in 1892 and received the medal of honor in 1906 for The Red Delight. Rochegrosse also illustrated several books. Some of the drawings for these illustrations are in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, London. He lived his final years in Algeria, but returned to Paris where he died and is buried.

Anatole France [1844-1924], born François-Anatole Thibault, French poet, journalist, and novelist with several best-sellers, a member of the Académie française, and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921, "in recognition of his brilliant literary achievements, characterized as they are by a nobility of style, a profound human sympathy, grace, and a true Gallic temperament". Thaïs originally published in 1890.
* Carteret, 4, p. 171.