L'enlèvement de La Redoute

This short story by Prosper Mérimée (1803-1870), set during the Imperial Wars, first appeared in 1829 in La Revue française before being included in Mosaïque, a collection of short stories published in 1833.

UNIQUE COPY printed on vellum specially for the bibliophile Paul Reveilhac.

Enriched with 15 original drawings (one frontispiece and 14 vignettes in the text (including a small portrait of a young Mérimée at the end of the preface)) depicting military subjects specially composed in India ink for this copy by Alphonse Lalauze, some highlighted with wash. Son of the engraver Adolphe Lalauze, Alphonse Lalauze (1872-1936) was a student of the painter Édouard Detaille, whose military scenes had brought him fame.He illustrated historical texts by the Duke of Aumale, Balzac, and the Duke of Broglie... The text is preceded by a preface signed P[aul] R[eveilhac], addressed to the young illustrator. Appended at the end of the volume are:- the sketch for the frontispiece and 4 pen drawings highlighted with India ink wash;- an India ink drawing;- 7 pencil sketches reworked with ink wash;- 3 pen drawings highlighted with watercolor. All completed drawings are signed or monogrammed and dated 1891 or 1892.