ZOLA, Emile. L'ouragan. (1901 - FIRST EDITION - PRESENTATION COPY TO EUGINE SEMENOFF)

AUTHOR: ZOLA, Emile.

TITLE: L'ouragan.

PUBLISHER: Paris: Librairie Charpentier, 1901.

DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION PRESENTATION COPY. 1 vol., 7-5/8" x 5-3/8", inscribed by the author on half title, "a’ Eugine Semenoff sou ami Emile Zola,", bound in 1/4 maroon calf, raised bands, gilt lettered spine, original green printed wrappers bound in, bookplate of Ernst Magnus (1873-1942) to front pastedown, housed in a green morocco backed slipcase, raised bands, gilt lettered spine, uncut as issued.

CONDITION: Toning to pages, hinges rubbed, small chip to foot of spine, a scarce title inscribed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: According to RBH only one inscribed copy of this title has ever appeared at auction - in 1979.

Semenoff was fully integrated into French intellectual life, passing on his literary and artistic lineage. His son, Marc Semenoff, became a prominent French translator and scholar, and his grandson, Ivan Semenoff, was a recognized 20th-century French composer and conductor.

There is a direct historical and personal relationship between Eugene Semenoff and Emile Zola. Semenoff became a close personal friend and intellectual associate of Emile Zola. Their relationship is detailed through several specific historical connections. Semenoff was invited into Zola’s intimate inner circle and frequently attended the famous Thursday evening literary and political salons (Les jeudis d'Emile Zola) hosted at Zola's home. Historical records and personal letters from Zola reveal that he kept in close contact with Semenoff, explicitly counting the Russian journalist among the trusted allies who managed matters for him. The connection to Zola extended to the next generation of the Semenoff family. Eugene's son, Marc Semenoff, became a French writer and translator who actively preserved Zola's legacy, notably publishing accounts surrounding the transfer of Emile Zola's ashes to the Pantheon in 1925.