BALZAC Honoré de - Petites misères de la vie conjugale ("Small miseries of marital life"), illustrated by Bertall, Paris, Chlendowski, 1845
In-eighth, vintage binding in half-calf brown leather, spine with raised bands decorated with gilded squares, inscription Lezarta at the end.
Very sought after edition, and the first one that has been illustrated. The work follow Physiologie du mariage ("Physiology of marriage"). First edition of 350 humoristic figures by Bertall, including 50 outside the text. Balzac is represented amongst many of them. "Livre illustré avec esprit par Bertall dont les compositions complètent à merveille un texte plein d’humour. Il n’y a eu qu’une seule édition qui est fort rare" ("Book wittily illustrated by Bertall whose composition complete marvellously a text full of humor. There has only been one edition, that is very rare.") (Carteret, III, p. 48)
(Spine very slightly worn.)