BAUDELAIRE Charles (1821-1867). Les Fleurs du mal. Illustrations by A. Rassenfosse. Paris, les Cent Bibliophiles, 1899; in-4, black grosgrain jansenist morocco, 4 ribbed spine, vermilion morocco lining with gilt fillet, mordoré silk endpapers, gilt edges on witnesses, illustrated cover and spine (Marius Michel). The first illustrated edition of Les Fleurs du mal is undoubtedly one of the best. It is very richly decorated: 320 compositions by Armand Rassenfosse (1862-1934), the pupil and collaborator of Félicien Rops, including 170 coloured etchings and aquatints: a frontispiece and 6 hors texte; 163 culs-de-lampe and vignettes printed in different colours. ☞ Limited edition of 115 copies, all on watermarked wove paper, this one No. 68 for Ferdinand Dreyfus, with the binder's note preserved (invoice for 225 fr, 15 October 1914). A very fine copy in double morocco by Marius Michel. It is complete with the beautiful grained cover decorated with a green jellyfish. Some leaves slightly browned, as is often the case with this edition. Nerves a little rubbed at the edges, not serious. 📖 Carteret, IV, p. 62: " Belle publication très cotée ".