A book from Marcel Proust’s library
 
Les Nourritures terrestres.[The Fruits of the Earth.]
Andre Gide
Paris, 1897
 
First trade edition of Gide’s landmark book, an exposition of individualism over societal conformity that though initially little noticed, went on to influence generations - including soaring figures like Marcel Proust.
 
Contemporary brown half-percaline binding, uncut. Pages moderately browned, else a sound Near Fine copy with monumental provenance:
 
Ex-Robert de Billy, his bookplate and handwritten note on front endpaper:
 
“This book given by Gide to Marcel Proust was given to me by him and I gave access to Madame Politis who was surprised by the value of an original edition. Certified by me Robert de Billy.”
 
Robert de Billy was a diplomat and longtime friend of Proust, who modeled In Search of Lost Time character Robert de Saint-Loup after him.
 
The copy also has numerous reading marks in pencil(underlining and brackets), and two annotations on pp. 17 and 22, which appear to be in Proust’s hand. 
 
Andre Gide, as editor of NRF publishing house, passed on the chance to publish Swann’s Way, thinking Proust an amateurish snob too obsessed with the concept of memory. 
 
"The rejection of this book will remain the NRF's greatest mistake," Gide later wrote to Proust, calling it "one of the most bitter regrets of my life.”
 
A really, truly precious item with important personal interconnections that reverberate with literary history.