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French Language or translation from or about the French

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The Day of Fire [Suggested by the Life of Arthur Rimbaud] – James Ullman – First Edition 1959

First Edition published by Collins, London in 1959. Octavo, 638 pages. A little sign of age, dust jacket chipped at head, still a very good copy of a special book.

The author had been working on this book for a number of years and provides a nice foreword about Rimbaud, He thanks New Directions for quotes from their “A Season in Hell”, possibly Voyager’s favourite book.

No wonder the author invested so much time, Arthur Rimbaud was an extraordinary individual and apart from his poetry and writing led an extraordinary life, not always on the right side of the law.

Based on the life of Arthur Rimbaud and a colourful life that was.

$30.00

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Original Thesis – French Books in Early Australian Public and Private Collections – Patricia Gray – Monash 1981

An original typescript thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne March 1981.

179 pages, A4 typed one side, bound in blue cloth covered boards, gilt titles, author etc to spine. Nice solid binding, headbands etc. Very good condition.

Partial contribution but a monumental piece of world. Gray acknowledges Professor W Kirsop for his unstinting sharing of scholarship, suggestions and provision of materials. Francophile Wallace Kirsop is bibliographical royalty in Australia …Editor of the Australian Journal of French Studies for many years he expanded his interest in French literature to the history of publication, the book trade, collections, social impacts etc.

Patrcia Gray commences her work with a introduction providing perspective and connection of the main topic to the history of the French explorers and first settled French in Australia. Given the cost and time delay in ordering books from Europe the first major source of books was through auction. The first book auction in Australia was in 1805. Gray provides an analysis of early auctions from 1818-1856. Similarly Gray reviews Libraries in a similar manner for the period 1832-1874 … Circulating Libraries; South Australian Regional; Victorian Regional; Australian Subscription; Tasmanian Public Library and Reading Room; Parliamentary etc.

Throughout references are made to specific titles, authors etc and patterns develop regarding interest, interested parties etc … most enlightening at the detailed level. One comes away with a better understanding of the book trade and the nature of French interest, whether it be fiction, science, history, wine making etc., within Australia during the 19thC.

A unique in depth work about books in Australia in the 19thC.

$130.00

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A Maigret Quartet [Maigret's Special Murder etc] – Georges Simenon – 1972

A “four in one” – Maigret’s … Special Murder; Maigret in society; Maigret and the Lazy Burglar and Maigret’s Failure. A real treat and a host of unusual characters. Maigret consistent and thoughtful as ever.

Thick octavo, 416 pages, first of type, published by the Leisure Circle in 1972 by arrangement with Hamish Hamilton, London who were principal publishers of each of the individual works in English.

Maigret – four times as good!

$40.00

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Maigret and the Millionaires – Georges Simenon

Published by The Book Club Associates 1974 in conjunction with Hamish Hamilton a first edition 1974 having been published in French in 1958

A super wealthy man is found dead in the bath shortly after his lover the Countess Paverini attempts suicide. The world of the rich is opened up to Maigret.

Maigret among the rich of Paris …

$35.00

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Maigret and the Gangsters – Georges Simenon – First UK Edtion 1974

First edition published in 1974 by Hamish Hamilton, London.

Octavo, 156 pages, a little marked to top edge otherwise very good, super complete dust jacket.

Confusion and worry as Detective Longnon attempts to resolve a case alone … Sicilian gangsters make it tough. It gets very complex for Maigret.

Maigret delves into International Crime

$35.00

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The Fortunes of Fifi – Molly Elliot Seawell – First Edition 1903

A first edition published by Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis in 1903. Interestingly, carries the booksellers sticker of Dymock’s Book Arcae, 428 George Street. Dymocks, Australia’s favourite book store was started in 1879 but soon moved to the aforementioned address as the business took off.

Fifi is a young actress in fourth rate theatre in Paris. Napoleon is involved in a minor way. She has confidantes and admirers and much love and lost love ensues. She turns out to be related to a certain person in very high place … things get rich and in a tangle which really she is not that thrilled with – eventually, she ends up with the one she should. Complex and intriguing romance. The outline is easily told … it became an early silent movie circa WW! And was very successful.

Octavo, 239 pages, with decorative end papers that match the delightful pictorial covers. A very good copy.

Classic Romance based in Paris, became one of the very first movies.

$30.00

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