MOLIÈRE. Le tartuffe ou l'imposteur. Paris, Govone, 1939. Large in-8, edition illustrated with 7 original out-of-text engravings by Mariette Lydis. Limited edition of 273 numbered copies, this one no. 1, a unique copy on Montval antique containing the artist's original drawings, essays and corrections, and a suite avant la lettre. Bound in full red morocco, the boards with triple gilt fillets, decorated with a composition of curved fillets with gilt scrolls and circles, smooth ornate spine, yellow silk lining and endpapers, double gilt paper endpapers, all edges gilt, signed G. Cretté succ. De Marius Michel. In dust jacket and protective case. Copy including the state before the letter and the original drawing on tracing paper mounted for each engraving and enriched with 8 additional original drawings and a suite of states of the engravings on different wove, laid, Montval and China papers, including 8 proofs of the first plate, 11 proofs of the double plate, 6 proofs of the third plate, 8 proofs of the fourth plate, 7 proofs of the fifth plate, 8 proofs of the sixth plate and 8 proofs of the Tartuffe. (slight foxing to the state suites). Expert : M. Nicolas ASVISIO