Colette | Four volumes of Colette's published notebooks bound by Paul Bonet

Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette)

Les Cahiers. Paris: Les Amis de Colette, 1935–36

4 volumes, 4to (306 x 232mm). 24 engravings, six each by Dignimont, Daragnès, Moreau, and Segonzac; section-title of volume 3 soiled at top fore-edge. Grayish-brown crushed morocco bindings by Paul Bonet (signed on front turn-ins), covers with small gilt dots and colored morocco inlaid dots (a different color for each volume to match the original wrappers, which are bound in) with a different silver fillet central-panel design on covers, spines lettered in gilt, top edges gilt, others uncut, matching chemises and slipcases.

No. 95 of 175 sets, each volume signed in the colophon and first volume additionally inscribed and signed on the title-page, "offert à Monsieur J. Ortiz-Linares, bien cordialement, Colette, " together with an ink self-portrait drawing.

In Carnets, Bonet describes the present bindings as simple and elegant, executed between October and December 1936 by René Desmules and gilded by André Jeanne. Given the presentation inscription, these volumes were likely commissioned by the original owner, Jorge Ortiz-Linares, Bolivian ambassador to France and a celebrated collector of French literature.

REFERENCE:

Bonet, Carnets 320–323 

PROVENANCE:

Jorge Ortiz-Linares (presentation inscription by Colette; Sotheby’s London, 20 May 2014, lot 153)