LOUŸS Pierre (1870-1925). Poëtique. Reunion of the autograph manuscript, corrected proofs and the original bookshop edition. The importance of this text in the mind of Pierre Louÿs cannot be overstated. After 20 years of writing, he summed up all his faith in poetry and beauty in these few pages. Poëtique (followed by poésies). Autograph manuscript, circa 1916; large oblong in-8, 14 pp. in old red half-maroquin with corners, spine ribbed (R. Vincent). Manuscript of 5 ff. in-8 then 9 ff. in-8 oblong of 12 autograph quatrains. The manuscript differs considerably from the more extensive version printed in 1917. The tenth piece in particular did not appear until 1917. This is the version given to the Mercure de France for the pre-original in April 1916 (no. 431 of the review). Poëtique. Paris, circa 1917; large in-8, [1 f. (title), 35 pp. printed in blue pencil, 2 pp. typed on 2 f., half red morocco with corners, spine ribbed (Patrice Goy). Corrected proofs of a reprint (?). In fact the text continues with the "notes sur poëtique". Numerous notes and corrections by several hands. Poëtique. Paris, Georges Crès, 1917; square in-12 booklet, midnight blue half-maroquin with corners, smooth spine, gilt head, cover. First edition in bookshops. One of 25 on Japon (No. 6). - Joint: table leaf handwritten by Pierre Louÿs.