A Gascon pilgrimage with author manuscript and correspondence

Description

DERENNES (Charles) Le pèlerin de Gascogne. Paris, Édition Française Illustrée, 1918. Octavo, half-chagrin binding with corners, gilt edges, cracked joint, wear to headcap, clean interior, housed in amateur casing with preserved cover, all margins intact. XII-316 pages. First edition limited to 15 copies on laid paper, including first seven not released for sale; this is copy no. 7. Accompanied by 4 leaves entirely handwritten by the author from April 1914 (manuscript of the book's preface) and 2 handwritten letters from the author to his friend Marcel, to whom he presents these autograph leaves. Charles Derennes (1882-1930) was a French writer born in Villeneuve-sur-Lot and died in Paris, son of historian and inspector Gustave Derennes and Marthe Cassan. He studied at Talence lycée near Bordeaux, where he befriended poet Émile Despax and Marcel Gounouilhou (future director of La Petite Gironde). Recipient of the Archon-Desperouses prize (1907), he married banker Hugo Finaly's daughter Rosita in 1909 (divorced 1911) and Christiane in 1916. During WWI he served as military nurse in south-western France. Deeply attached to his native Gascony, the region features prominently throughout his literary work.