ROSTAND Edmond (1868-1918). La Samaritaine. Évangile en trois tableaux, in verse. Paris, Fasquelle, 1897; in-8 reprinted in-4, bright red grosgrain Jansenist morocco, ribbed spine, inner frame in the same morocco with 6 intersecting gilt fillets, gilt head, illustrated cover in colour, slipcase (Loisellier-Le Douarin). First edition of this play created for Sarah Bernhardt. She is depicted - very idealised - on Mucha's delightful lithographed cover, a reduction of the poster designed to promote the play. ☞ One of 25 copies printed on Japon impérial (No. 3), with a letter from the author to Lucie Faure "who was kind enough to take charge of the Ministry of Poetry...". The front cover, illustrated in colour by Mucha, is in two states: before and with the letter. Slight rubbing to the spine.