Beauvoir, Simone de

Le Deuxième Sexe [The Second Sex]

Paris: Gallimard, 1949. First Edition. 3/4 morocco. 2 vols. 1st edition (in French). Copy “C” of 5 lettered sets (marked A to E) on vélin pur fil Lafuma–Navarre, undoubtedly de Beauvoir’s private supply, and the book’s rarest state by some geometric factor (the trade edition was 2,000). Contemporary (original?) 3/4 morocco by Henri Duhayon (the master binder of Nice), top edge gilt, others uncut, original wrappers bound in, morocco tipped wood grain slipcases. Fine. Fine. Item #6

A book of the highest measure, and likely (unchallenged as) the best copy of it in the world. The first post–modern assaying of the female condition and a trial of patriarchal society, igniting the current, ongoing, incarnation of the women’s movement, and encouraging any repressed appreciation of feminism to crawl out from under its hiding place. First, best, finest, rarest. Could one want more? Powerfully influential? That too.

Price: $6,500.00