BALZAC Honoré de. Œuvres complètes - La Comédie humaine. Paris, Furne, J.-J. Dubochet et Cie, Hetzel, Houssiaux, 1842-1855; 20 vol. in-8, contemporary bindings in hazel half-chagrin, ribbed spines decorated with cold filets, later cases. First collective edition, which has remained famous: in addition to numerous texts in the original edition, it presents the definitive form of the texts reworked by Balzac before his death in 1850. The copy is complete with all the required parts: 154 woodcuts by Gavarni, Bertall, Henri Monnier, etc., including the 6 engravings from volume XIII (in volume XX), the portrait of Balzac (volume XVII), the two figures added in 1855 and the rare frontispiece (volume XX). These figures provide portraits in costume of many of the characters in the Comédie humaine. All volumes have the correct dates, volume XX is complete with the preface by George Sand and its cover. A copy in excellent condition, practically free of foxing. Ex-libris of the Jean E. Leclercq literary library in brown morocco. Carteret, III, p. 56.