La Defense, with inscription from author
Paris: La Table Ronde, 1971. First Printing. Wraps. Trade softcover, very good, light war and soil. With inscription from Arletty on sheet of paper that was taped to title page and facing page; the tape has dried off, leaving expected brown stains, but the page is still there inserted. The inscription is to Jeanne Silvain Laidley, an actress active in France before WWII (her father was doyen of the Comedie Francaise and her husband was a theatrical impresario who died in the French resistance; she remarried an American UNESCO executive), plus inscription from "Chretienne" on flyleaf that makes note that this was long promised -- perhaps Chretienne was a ghost writer or someone associated with the production of the book. The inscription from Arletty is warm enough to indicate familiarity or friendship with the recipient. Léonie Marie Julie Bathiat (1898-1992), known professionally as Arletty, was a French actress, singer, and fashion model. As an actress she is particularly known for classics directed by Marcel Carné, including Hotel du Nord (1938), Le jour se lève (1939) and Children of Paradise (1945). She was found guilty of treason for an affair with a German officer during World War II. Very good. Item #H40708
Price: $50.00