SCHNEIDER’S BIOGRAPHY OF MASSENET, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND, SIGNED BY THE COMPOSER
SCHNEIDER, Louis. Massenet. L'Homme — Le Musicien. Paris: Librairie L. Conquet, 1908. Large quarto, contemporary full burgundy morocco gilt, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, original wrappers bound in. $4500.
Limited first edition, number 48 of 50 copies printed on Japanese vellum, boldly signed by Massenet on the half title, beautifully bound by Maurin.
Schneider's biography of Jules Massenet—"the dominating and most prolific opera composer of his generation" (New Grove 11:800)—is lavishly illustrated with portraits, photographs from opera productions, manuscript facsimiles, poster and title page facsimiles, and material from Massenet's private life.
With separate sections for each opera. Lovely original Art Nouveau decorative wrappers bound in. Text in French.
An impressive production in fine condition.