BARBEY D'AUREVILLY (Jules) Paris,, Dentu,, 1874... Les Diaboliques (the first six). In-12 (18,3 x 11,2 cm), long-grained red morocco, double framed with gilt fillets, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fillets, red moire endpapers, gilt edges, covers preserved (Canape R. D.). First edition. "A very rare and much sought-after work, the edition having been partly destroyed following a lawsuit" (Carteret). The work was prosecuted for immorality by the public prosecutor's office of the Seine. With a print run of 2,200 copies, 480 copies were destroyed by the author and publisher. This copy contains ten etchings: a portrait of Barbey d'Aurevilly by Paul-Adolphe Rajon, and nine by Félicien Rops commissioned by Alphonse Lemerre to illustrate a second edition. Produced between 1883 and 1885, they were not sold separately until 1886, four years after the publication of the second edition. Enriched copy with an amusing autograph letter signed by Barbey d'Aurevilly to [Mme de l'Isle] complaining about the French administration 'Ma Beh-bet, as the Abbé used to say, I am sending you back my signature. How charming administrations are, with their routines and their demands! Long live France for its stupidity! For example, I don't know if my black ink is indelible and if I've written for eternity. Ah! They want eternal mandates! Poor Galathée! I've only got a minute to spare " Attached is an autograph note signed by Clémence Couve, a woman of letters, salonnière and translator of Gabriel Charles Dante Rossetti, on paper bearing her monogram. A rare and very rich copy in a fine binding by Canape. A very fine copy despite some minor rubbing to the spine and a restoration without missing p. 95 and p. 97. Provenance : J.L.R. (ex-libris). Bibliography: Carteret, Romantique et moderne, I, 110. Vicaire, I, 305.