Le Roman de La Momie. **Fine Binding by Hauttecoeur**

Paris: F. Ferroud, 1920 In French. Limited Edition No. 126 of 1200; this having the limitation page initialed by the publisher, and being one of the iteration (Nos. 101 - 200) printed upon japon imperiál, containing two states of each etching, plus a separate suite of woodcuts in black on China tissue. Printed for Phillipe Renouard, (Paris bookseller and famed bibliographer of Parisian 15th and 16th century printers and booksellers.) Hard cover, large octavo (measuring 6 ¾ x 10 inches), with slipcase.** Finely bound** and stamp-signed, by Fernand Hauttecoeur in elaborate lapis blue morocco gilt, featuring an Egyptian-styled winged sun disc with flanking cobras to center front board, and triple papyrus blossom motifs to corners. These are inlaid in shades of red, orange, teal and tan. Exquisitely ornamented inner doublures feature papyrus blossoms intertwined amongst gilt and black stems, setting off vibrant silk pastedowns of malachite green, peacock blue and gold. The original colored paper wraps are bound in. The book features 20 full page, tissue guarded (and 2 smaller,) etchings after the work of French art nouveau painter, Georges Rochegrosse (1859-1938), etched by E. Decisy. Some additional illustration bears the signature of Charles Clémont.** Condition: Very Good Plus, or better. Spine is slightly darkened, and with a bit of inconsequential wear. (One small divot near the title has been colored in the past.) Modern decorative rice paper has been imperfectly applied (with some bubbling) to verso of original endpapers at front and rear, perhaps to conceal a gift inscription (?) But even holding these pages up to the light does not reveal the cause.The text pages are clean, bright and the gouache decoration bright. Two very small pencil reference numbers appear within, which may be the bookbinder's. The front hinge is split as seen in the pertinent photo, but holding firmly. The slipcase is unremarkable but has definitely done its job to protect the brightly colored treasure within. ** The story was first published in serial form in 1857, and in book form the following year. Author Théophile Gautier (1811-1872) was a keen student of Egyptology, as were many of his contemporaries, as a raft of new archeological discoveries excited the French imagination. The story is of the discovery of a sarcophagus containing a mummy within a newly discovered tomb, by an English gentleman and party in the Biban el Moluk Valley near Thebes. The papyrus scroll buried with the sarcophagus reveals the romantic love tale of the beautiful Tahoser, daughter of Pharaoh Petamounoph. Overall, this finely detailed art and highly descriptive writing deserves appreciation for its synthesis of form and meaning. . Initialed by Publisher upon Limitation Page.. Limited Edition, No. 126/1200, (with two iterations of all art). Hard Cover. Very Good Plus, or better. Illus. by Georges Rochegrosse and Ch. Clèment. Etchings by Eugène Decisy. .