1932 Rare French Edition - Maria Chapdelaine by L. Hemon illustrated by J. Droit

Author: Louis Hémon. Jean Droit, illustrator.
Title: Maria Chapdelaine.
Publisher: Paris, L’Édition d’Art H. Piazza, 1932. First Limited Edition illustrated by Jean Droit, #2187/3500 on Chiffon Paper.
Language: Text in French.
Size: 7.5 x 5.5 inches.
Pages: x-247 pages + publisher's catalog.
Binding: Attractive and near fine exquisite full tan morocco leather binding with richly blind-stamped decorative panels on both boards and spine, featuring symmetrical foliate and floral ornamentation. Raised bands to spine with gilt-stamped title and author. All edges trimmed. Elegant decorative endpapers with a repeating gold-on-green arabesque motif. Upper edge gilt.
Content: Very good, near fine content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining mainly on the outer edge - as shown, including a bookplate of a previous owner on the blank page facing the original wrapper title page -as shown).
Illustrations: Illustrated with a vibrant pochoir-style color plates and detailed black-and-white illustrations by Jean Droit, specifically designed for this edition. All illustrations are complete and present.

Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies in this beautiful deluxe binding available for sale worldwide).

The book: A deluxe first limited edition of Maria Chapdelaine, the celebrated Québécois novel by Louis Hémon, offered here in an elegant French art edition. Richly illustrated by Jean Droit and beautifully printed by Piazza in Paris, this 1932 issue forms part of the publisher’s prestigious “Contes de France et d’Ailleurs” series. The novel’s evocative portrayal of rural life in the Canadian wilderness—marked by hardship, duty, and quiet endurance—resonated deeply with French and French-Canadian audiences alike. This edition is notable not only for its fine printing and original illustrations but also for its sumptuous binding, likely commissioned privately or issued in a deluxe subscriber state.

The author: Louis Hémon (1880–1913) was a French writer and journalist best known for Maria Chapdelaine, written during his brief stay in Quebec shortly before his untimely death. Though he died before seeing its publication, the novel became a cornerstone of Canadian literature, frequently adapted and translated. Hémon's sensitive depiction of French-Canadian rural life contributed significantly to the cultural identity of Quebec.

The illustrator: Jean Droit (1884–1961) was a French illustrator and painter known for his expressive line and romantic style. A veteran of World War I, Droit brought both vigor and sentiment to his book illustrations. His collaboration with H. Piazza produced several treasured illustrated editions, marked by their high aesthetic quality and detailed craftsmanship.