GONCOURT Edmond and Jules de. Sophie Arnould, according to her correspondence and unpublished memoirs. Paris, Poulet-Malassis et de Broise, 1857; in-12, [6]-197-[1] pp. in navy blue half-maroquin with corners, gilt fillet on covers, very ornate ribbed spine with finely decorated caissons and mosaic of four-lobes in red morocco, gilt head, cover (David). First edition. One of the few copies on Hollande and one of the very rare copies with the 2-page appendix restoring the censored passages. According to Vicaire, only 30 copies on ordinary paper and 10 on laid paper contain the appendix. The volume is enriched by 5 signed autograph letters on tab addressed to Poulet-Malassis (11 January, 1 February, 1 and 17 March, 14 August 1857). This correspondence reveals the close collaboration between the Goncourts and their fledgling publisher. The first print run was not 1,100 or 760 copies as some bibliographies indicate: "Sir, I thought we had agreed on a print run of one thousand and consequently a sum of 250 Fr. You have changed your mind. We are indifferent, believing in the success of the book (...) On the 15th at noon I will take the completely finished manuscript to your correspondent (...) I believe that for the proper layout of the volume all the chapters marked in Roman numerals should be placed halfway down the page (...) Print run of 500 is of course - and a proof as soon as possible". The copy is also filled with 106 portraits, some before the letter: 4 portraits of Sophie Arnould and 102 portraits of personalities mentioned in the correspondence: Marie Leczinska, Mme de Pompadour, Mlle Clairon, Sedaine, Beaumarchais, Voltaire, Talleyrand, Bonaparte, Robespierre, etc. A very fine copy. A very fine copy - Ex-libris Ronnie Binehof.