Livres anciens Joseph Kessel: original editions and reportage

For the collector, Kessel is a generous author: many titles, original editions still accessible for common novels, rare limited printings for major works, illustrated books, and numerous signed copies, as he often inscribed them. Each copy we offer is examined and described by our team.

Kessel books sought by collectors

The first book, La Steppe rouge (1922), a collection of short stories about revolutionary Russia, opens his bibliography: it is a title collectors want in first edition. This is followed by L'Équipage (1923), the aviation novel, Les Rois aveugles (1925), co-written with Hélène Iswolsky about the court of the last tsar, Nuits de princes (1927), a chronicle of Russian émigrés in Paris, and Belle de jour (1928), made famous by Luis Buñuel’s film. Fortune carrée (1932), a novel set in the Red Sea, also exists in an illustrated edition by Edy-Legrand.

The small books from the 1920s are highly sought after: Le Thé du capitaine Sogoub (1926), published by Au Sans Pareil with illustrations, Les Nuits de Sibérie (1928) in Flammarion’s “Les Nuits” series, Mary de Cork, Dames de Californie. The major postwar novels, Le Lion (1958) and Les Cavaliers (1967), are sought in Gallimard original editions, especially on large-paper stock.

Finally, the reportage works: Vent de sable, Marchés d'esclaves, La Piste fauve, Hong-Kong et Macao, and the weeklies Kessel edited or contributed to, such as Voilà, “the weekly of reportage,” whose early bound volumes form a unique document on 1930s journalism.

How to identify a first edition of Kessel

Kessel’s publishers are well known: Gallimard and the Nouvelle Revue Française for most of his output, Éditions de France, Flammarion, Plon, Au Sans Pareil for the 1920s pamphlets, then Julliard and Gallimard after the war. A first edition is identified by the printed limitation notice on the verso of the half-title or at the end of the volume: copies numbered on Holland paper, laid, pure vellum, or alfa paper constitute the limited edition; ordinary copies bear no number but the date of printing corresponds to the first publication.

Beware of reprints: Kessel has been constantly reprinted, sometimes as early as the year of publication. A mention of “first edition” on a dust-jacket or band is not enough; the date of the colophon and, for large-paper copies, the number must be present. Review copies (“S.P.”) form a separate category and are sought after when they bear a presentation inscription.

Autograph inscriptions are frequent and well documented: Kessel signed in a rapid, expansive hand. An inscription to a friend, fellow writer or fellow war correspondent adds value; a doubtful one destroys it. We transcribe each dedication word for word and photograph it.

Condition, bindings and pitfalls

Kessel’s novels have been read, lent and taken on journeys: clean, intact paperbacks with their original covers and, where applicable, dust-jackets are scarcer than one might think. Contemporary half-bindings, with corners or bands, often restrained in design, protect the texts of the 1920s and 1930s well; a signed binding on a limited issue is a fine piece. Illustrated books require inspection of the plates: completeness, absence of foxing, tide-marks or repairs.

Three recurring pitfalls must be watched for. The first is a reprint mistaken for an original, especially with Belle de jour and Le Lion, which were reprinted often. The second is the “washed” or secretly restored copy. The third is the forged inscription, which can be ruled out by comparison with authenticated specimens. We always state the publisher, date, issue, paper and true condition, including defects.

Features of our stock

Our current holdings include first editions of Nuits de princes, copies of Rois aveugles—one signed—Le Thé du capitaine Sogoub in illustrated issue, Les Nuits de Sibérie, La Steppe rouge, Fortune carrée in the illustrated edition by Edy-Legrand, and three years of the weekly Voilà (1931–1933), in which Kessel published his reports. Each record gives full details and further photographs are sent on request.

How we can help

If you are building a Kessel collection, tell us which titles you still need: the “Notify me” function on this page alerts you as soon as any work by the author arrives. If you own first editions, large-paper copies or letters by Joseph Kessel, we will appraise and may buy them outright for cash. Every book is sent in reinforced packaging; delivery is free in France and you have fourteen days to change your mind.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first original edition by Joseph Kessel?

This is La Steppe rouge, a collection of short stories published in 1922 by the Nouvelle Revue Française. Large-paper copies are rare; standard first edition copies remain affordable.

How do I know if my copy of Belle de jour is a first edition?

The first edition was published by Gallimard in 1928; the colophon should bear this date, and for the limited print run, a number and paper type (Holland, pure vellum, alfa). The novel was reprinted frequently, sometimes in the same year: the colophon date is the distinguishing factor.

Do Kessel’s inscribed copies have value?

Yes, especially when the recipient is identified (a writer, a fellow war correspondent, an editor). Kessel inscribed many copies: value depends on the book, the recipient, and the quality of the inscription. We photograph every dedication.

Do you buy books by Joseph Kessel?

Yes. We appraise and purchase first editions, large-paper copies, inscribed books, correspondence, and collections of reportage. Contact us with a few photographs and a description of the item.

To go further

Kessel belongs to a generation of travel-writing and engaged writers whose editions we also follow: Henry de Montherlant, Pierre Loti for tales of distant lands, André Gide for the NRF of the same period, and his nephew Maurice Druon, co-author of Le Chant des partisans. Reportage and periodicals can be found in the History section; novels in the Literature and First Editions section.

Do you own books by Joseph Kessel? We provide appraisals and purchases.