The Tales of Guy de Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant

This is a gem of a book.  An extraordinary and thoroughly entertaining book that includes some of this genius' best short story/tales. Beautiful, well made and designed book. Published by Easton Press. 1977. Fine and genuine leather bound. Book accented in 22kt gold. Condition: Like New. Leather cover has aged nicely. The second page has an ex libris (label) from the publisher (Easton Press) with owner's signature on the label. 1134g. 17x24x4cm. This book is printed on archival quality paper especially milled for this collector’s edition with gilded edges made to last well into future generations. The end sheets are of moire fabric with a silk ribbon page marker. Smyth sewing and concealed muslin joints to ensure the highest quality binding. This book is in full leather with hubbed spines. Guy de Maupassant's first tale, "Boule de Suif," appeared in Soirées de Médan, which was published in Paris in 1880 and comprised six pieces by various writers. Over the ensuing decade Maupassant's stories were published in French newspapers and in collections of his tales, including Contes de la Bécasse (1883), Contes et Nouvelles (1885), and Contes du Jour et de la Nuit (1885). In 1903 Maupassant's complete works were issued in Paris by Conard. A number of the tales in the present volume are translations by Lafcadio Hearn, who published them in the New Orleans Times-Picayune from 1881 to 1887. The first American edition of Maupassant in book form was The Odd Number 1889), consisting of thirteen stories. I'his was followed in 1903 by the first American edition of his complete works in ten volumes; it included many stories later discovered to be by other writers. The first definitive collection of all 270 authentic short stories by Guy de Maupassant, in translations by various hands, was published in New York in 1955. The present selection, with illustrations by Gunter Böhmer, was first issued by The Limited Editions Club (copyright © 1964). This Collector's Edition was published by advance reservation exclusively for subscribers to the Easton Press collection of The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written. The frontispiece portrait was specially commissioned in 1977 by Easton Press.