DUHAMEL (Georges). Défense des lettres. Paris, Mercure de France, 1937. Large in-16, original edition. Limited edition of 1,081 numbered copies, this one #410, one of 745 on vergé pur fil Lafuma in in-16 format. Washed copy. Bound in full dark-brown morocco, spine with 4 raised bands, title, author and date gilt, spine flaps framed with cold fillet, triple gilt fillet and mosaic band in light-brown morocco, silk moire lining and endpapers, double marbled paper endpapers, all edges gilt, covers and spine preserved, signed L. Lévêque. In a slipcase lined with the same morocco, protective paper on the back covers. Enriched with a precious signed autograph letter from the author to Elvire Choureau, with whom Georges Duhamel, then director of Mercure de France, founded the bookshop "L'artisan du livre". "For Elvire Choureau, my comrade in battle, thanking her for always showing me the luminous face of trust and loyalty. Her faithful.". Provenance: Elvire Choureau Library. Expert: Mr. Nicolas Asvisio