J. A. Coulangheon — Le Beguin de Go

Paris , Societe du Mercure de France, 1904 . Hardback. The very scarce first edition of Coulangheon"s final collection of fin-de-siecle fiction, published only days before his early death, and accompanied by an autograph letter signed by the author. Bound in later colourful paper-covered boards, with the publisher's original wraps bound in. The scarce first edition of this work.  With an undated two-page autograph letter signed by Coulangheon loosely inserted, addressed "Mon cher ami" and discussing contemporary painting, music and an exhibition of wood engravings.  A French-language collection of three fin-de-siecle prose narratives: Le Beguin de Go, Les Desirs de Monique and Les Jardins d"Adonis.  The title novella moves between Paris and Greece, where Coulangheon had spent time shortly before his death.  Jacques-Arsene Coulangheon (1875-1904) was a French novelist influenced by Anatole France. He died of tuberculosis aged twenty-nine; this, his third and final volume, appeared just nine days before his death.  Bound in later colourful paper-covered boards, with the publisher's original wraps bound in. Front joint cracked, but firm. Rubbing to the boards and joints, with fading to the spine and loss to the paper at the head. Internally, hinges strained in places but holding.The odd gathering somewhat fragile. Slight soiling to original wraps with slight edge wear to perimeters. Pages characteristically age toned, heavier to fore edge, but clean. Some chipping and closed tears to the edges for first and final few leaves. Pages occasionally uncut and unevenly trimmed. Autograph letter is lightly creased. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .