BEYLE, Marie–Henri (“Stendhal”) (1783–1842). Le Rouge et le Noir. Paris: J. Hetzel, 1846.

Small 8vo. (Some spotting throughout). Half–title. Contemporary French quarter olive morocco, spine in 5 compartments with raised bands, gilt–lettering in two, others completely gilt (ends a bit rubbed).

FIRST SINGLE VOLUME EDITION. Originally published in 1831 in 2 volumes, this revolutionary bildungsroman explores the rise and fall of the romantic Julian Sorel and the exploration of Julian’s own psychological and spiritual struggles, but also a satire of the clergy and French society in general. Stendhal is now credited as one of the fathers of psychological realism.