Eugénie Grandet : autograph manuscript signed and typescript with manuscript revisions.

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Record ID: 
289875
Accession number: 
MA 1036
Author: 
Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850.
Credit: 
Purchased, 1925.
Description: 
1 item (155 pages), bound ; 29.1 cm
Notes: 

The typescript sections, which are heavily revised, appear to be proofs typeset for the novel's serialization in the magazine L'Europe Littéraire. In some cases, the manuscript and typeset pages duplicate each other: for instance, the beginning of the book appears both in manuscript and in typescript. However, the central section of the book is represented only in typescript, and the end of the book appears only in manuscript. Pages 34 and 35 (both typescript) also contain the same text, with different autograph revisions. These two pages appear to be proofs for two different issues of L'Europe Littéraire, though ultimately only the first section of the book was printed in the magazine, appearing in the September 19, 1833 issue, because of upheavals in the magazine's management.
Small pieces of paper containing additional edits have been attached to one extensively marked-up page at the center of the manuscript (identified by Balzac as page 31).
High reserve.
Includes a diagram on the verso of p. 1; a number of other pages contain extensive notes, drawings, and accounts on the verso.
Contains the author's signed presentation inscription to Madame de Hanska on the flyleaf: "offert par l'auteur à Madame de Hanska, en témoignage de son respectueux attachement 24 décembre 1833, Genève. H. de Balzac." Balzac married Madame de Hanska in 1850.

Summary: 

Consisting of the complete text of the novel Eugénie Grandet, partially in manuscript and partially in typescript. The first 8 pages are in manuscript, followed by 41 pages of typescript, and then by 106 pages of manuscript.

Housed in: 
Blue cloth drop-spine box (31.2 cm)
Binding: 
Half green morocco, with the initials of Madame de Hanska on the upper cover.
Provenance: 
Given by the author to Madame de Hanska (later Madame de Balzac); sold at auction in Paris on April 25, 1882 (item no. 11) to Albert Cahen d'Anvers (through M. Etienne Charavay); by descent to his wife, Loulia Cahen (née Warschawski); by descent to her sister, Madame Edouard Kann (née Marie Warschawski); sold to the Parisian picture dealer Monsieur Barbazanges in 1921; purchased by Gabriel Wells in 1925; purchased by the Morgan Library from Gabriel Wells, 1925.