[Félicien ROPS] HB. By one of forty. With a stunning frontis - Lot 193

[Félicien ROPS] HB. By one of forty. With a stunning frontispiece drawn and engraved by S.P.Q.R. Eleutheropolis, l'an mlccclxiv (1864) de l'imposture du nazaréen [Auguste Poulet-Malassis, Bruxelles, octobre 1863]. In-8, 4 ff, 62 pages, 1 ff, half marbled calf with corners, ribbed spine, gilt head, natural edges (defects). Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece by Félicien Rops, in 2 states, printed on Chine in black and red. This reprint of Mérimée's pages on his friend Stendhal (Henry Beyle, d. 1842) has been classified in the Bibliothèque Nationale's Inferno because of the free nature of the engraving. Limited edition of 140 copies, one of 20 large in-8 copies on laid paper, with 2 states of the frontispiece, in red and black (without printing justification). Bibliography: Enfer, 383 & 1166, Pia 601, Dutel A-494.