LAGERLÖF (Selma). Gösta Berling. Novel translated from the S - Lot 197

LAGERLÖF (Selma). Gösta Berling. Novel translated from the Swedish by T. Hammar and M. Metzger. Stockholm, Librairie Fritze, 1937. 2 volumes large in-8. Modern black morocco decorated with circular gilt motifs and cold-stamped fillets, red tabis spine boards and endpapers, gilt edge, cover and spine preserved. A fine copy illustrated with 72 original watercolors in color by Philippe Jullian, 18 of them full-page, the others in large lamp-heads or chapter headings. In fine black morocco signed by Georges Cretté (1893-1969), one of the most important French bookbinders of the modern 20th century, successor to Marius Michel and master of Lobstein. With a fine portrait-frontispiece of the author, etching engraved in black with signature A. Fridett engraved in the image. RARE. Limited edition of 220 numbered copies. This is one of 200 on Antique white laid paper (no. 76) with Selma Lagerlöf's signature in pen under the justification. The first woman writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize, in 1909, Gösta Berling is her most famous novel, along with Nils Olgerson . A worldly artist and writer, Philippe Jullian (1921-1977) published a Dictionnaire du snobisme (which he knew from the inside). His paintings and drawings often show us the world of flea markets, auction rooms and second-hand goods. Very slight oxidation, one upper jaw slightly worked, all without gravity. NEW BINDING. ARTIST'S BOOK. MODERN ILLUSTRATED.