COSTER (Germaine de). 27 bêtes pas si bêtes. Paris, J.-G. Daragnès, 1950. In-12 square, geometric decoration composed of several pieces assembled edge to edge, one of chocolate morocco, another of pearl grey morocco, two of pistachio morocco, and one of cream box, these two colours continuing on the spine and the lower cover, The top cover also decorated with a large animal figure in gold fillet with mosaic eyes and a dragonfly, smooth spine, cream morocco lining, aniseed green suede endpapers, gilt edges, cover and spine, folder and slipcase (G. de Coster, H. Dumas). Very rare first edition of this collection of 27 short poems by Germaine de Coster, prefaced by Marcel Aymé and illustrated with 27 woodcuts by the author, some in 2 colours, representing the animal the artist associated with each poem, printed on the Jean-Gabriel Daragnès press. Edition of 116 copies, this one of the 60 first copies on old japon (n°12). It is enriched by a suite of engravings on japon, the first of which is signed and justified 7/10 by the artist; a double engraved plate not used in the book, with an autograph note and the artist's signature; an original drawing in ink wash signed depicting two butterflies, and an original flying engraving, signed and justified 7/100, dated 1969 with a small autograph message of good wishes. Superb original binding designed and produced by Germaine Marguerite de Coster, with the collaboration of Hélène Dumas, in 1956.