Gustave FLAUBERT. P.S. with autograph apostille, co-signed by Michel LÉVY, Paris 11 September 1862 4 pages folio, tax stamp. Important contract with Michel Lévy for Madame Bovary, Salammbô, and his future novel, L'Éducation sentimentale. Flaubert, "man of letters and owner", grants "Société Michel Lévy frères": "full and complete ownership" until 1 January 1873: "1° Of a modern novel, of which M. Flaubert is the author, which appeared several years ago under the title Madame Bovary and which has already been published by Messrs Michel Lévy frères [...] And 2° A novel as yet unpublished [...] entitled Salammbo, for which Mr Flaubert undertakes to hand over the complete manuscript" before the end of September. This is followed by 7 clauses defining the publisher's obligations regarding proofs, a "fine octavo edition of at least two thousand copies", the composition of which will be used for subsequent editions in a smaller format, the delivery to Flaubert of one hundred copies, plus 25 on Hollande paper, the prohibition on making "any illustrated edition" of the two novels, the prohibition on their publication "in serial form", the choice of any theatrical adaptation or translation to be made by Flaubert alone, and advertising for Salammbô. - There were 3 clauses concerning Flaubert, who had to give the final proof of Salammbô before 1 November, and who would give up half the rights to a theatrical adaptation and all the translation rights to Lévy. The sale was made for ten thousand francs, half of which was to be paid on delivery of the manuscript of Salammbô, and the other half when it went on sale. This was followed by 10 articles of "Special Conditions", the 1st of which stipulated: "that M. Flaubert sells, from now on, to the said Society, which accepts it [...] without having the right to read it beforehand, the first modern novel, i.e. one whose action will not be earlier than one thousand seven hundred and fifty, that M. Flaubert may compose", for the sum of 10,000 francs... Michel Lévy reserves the right to refuse the novel if the action is earlier than 1750. The novel should be the same length as Salammbô, 400 to 500 pages; if it were shorter, the agreed price would be reduced. Once this modern novel had been delivered, Flaubert would "recover full and complete freedom to dispose as he sees fit of all the modern or other novels he may compose"... Etc. Flaubert signs with the apostille: "approuvé l'acte Gve Flaubert", and the publisher: "approuvé l'écriture Michel Lévy frères". On the negotiations that preceded the signing of this contract, and its importance, see Yvan Leclerc and Jean-Yves Mollier, Gustave Flaubert & Michel Lévy, un couple explosif (Calmann-Lévy, 2021, pp. 92-108). Attached is Alphonse LEMERRE's draft contract for the publication of Salammbô "in the format below the in-18 jésus", [1879] (1 p. in-8).