Paul Verlaine: Original and illustrated first editions

Paul Verlaine in a few lines

Born in Metz, employed at the Paris City Hall, Verlaine was part of the Parnassian movement and published his first collections with Alphonse Lemerre: Poèmes saturniens, Fêtes galantes, La Bonne Chanson. His encounter with Arthur Rimbaud changed his life; the gunshot in Brussels led to his imprisonment, where he underwent the conversion reflected in Sagesse. Returning to Paris, he published with Léon Vanier Jadis et Naguère, Amour, Parallèlement, Bonheur, Les Poètes maudits, followed by autobiographical prose (Mes Hôpitaux, Mes Prisons, Confessions). Elected “prince of poets” by his peers, he died poor in Paris, surrounded by young writers who would ensure his lasting fame.

What we offer

Our Verlaine collection includes early editions of his collections, reprints by Vanier and Messein, complete works in multiple volumes, studies and memoirs by his contemporaries, and illustrated editions. The grid above lists what is available today; original editions, which are uncommon, appear when a copy reaches us. His works in a free verse style, published clandestinely, are listed in our Curiosa section, reserved for adults.

Identifying a fine edition of Verlaine

His original editions are slender paperbacks printed in small numbers, with covers that are often yellow or cream and quite fragile; the publisher (Lemerre, Vanier, Messein) and the absence of an edition statement can be verified on the title page. Copies printed on Dutch or Chinese paper, which are rare, are noted in the collation. The illustrated editions of the 20th century have their own hierarchy: Parallèlement adorned with Pierre Bonnard’s lithographs for Ambroise Vollard and Sagesse illustrated by Maurice Denis are first-rate painter’s books; Fêtes galantes has inspired many illustrators in limited print runs where paper quality, collation, and suites matter.

Buying and conservation advice

An early collection of Verlaine is first judged by its cover: intact, clean, with no spine defects. Bindings from the period, in half-morocco or half-shagreen with the original covers retained, have protected many copies and remain highly prized. Avoid direct light, which can yellow covers in just a few months, and store the pamphlets in a protective wrapper. For a gift, an illustrated edition of Fêtes galantes or Sagesse in good condition is a safe choice; for the collector, the original or a copy with provenance is the goal.

To go further

The pages for Arthur Rimbaud and Baudelaire feature the poets closest to Verlaine; the one for Alfred de Musset dates back to the Romantic generation. First editions are gathered in the Literature and Original Editions section, while livres de peintres can be found in the Fine Books, Art and Bindings section. Our Original Editions and Presentation Copies dossier explains printing justifications; major pieces are listed in Rare and Precious Books.