HALÉVY Ludovic. Madame and Monsieur Cardinal - Les Petites Cardinal. Paris, Calmann Lévy, 1872-1880; 2 vol. in-12 of [6]-256-[1] pp. ; [6]-256-[1] pp. in slightly later bradel binding, embossed and polychrome paper with flowers, plants, birds and insects, covers, untrimmed. First editions. Twelve vignettes by Edmond Morin for the first volume and 12 vignettes by Henry Maigrot for the second. Halévy created the characters of the Cardinal family, a symbol of the pompous, pedantic and mean Parisian petty bourgeoisie. One of 50 numbered copies on Hollande paper (n°26) for Madame and Monsieur Cardinal - Autograph signed letter from the author to the Petites Cardinal: "Une armée puissamment civile, une religion puissamment laïque, voilà en deux mots tout le programme politicien de Monsieur Cardinal". Some foxing to this volume. Beautiful japonisantes binding. Beautiful bookplate in soft varnish of Emile Monteaux.