6.      BAC, Ferdinand.   LA VOLUPTÉ ROMAINE.      Paris: Louis Conard,   1922.          First edition; One of 16 numbered copies (this number 8) with an original color illustration bound in. The book is an illustrated romance, set in Rome, whose plot revolves around visits to many of the most picturesque sites in the city, gardens prominent among them. Visits to the Villa Borghese, the Villa Medici, Tivoli, and the Vatican gardens each form the background for separate chapters. The illustrations in particular seem focused on the gardens and fountains of the city. The novel was written during the period when Bac was justbeginning his activities as a garden designer and was at work on the Villa Croisset at Grasse and the villa Fiorentina at Cap Ferrat. His illustrations for LA VOLUPTÉ ROMAINE are also reminiscent of the color drawings which illustrate his later book on his most famous garden, Les Colombières. This copy from the deluxe edition includes two original illustrations from the book, one of which is a luxuriant ink and colored pencil drawing of a view over a wrought iron gate into a small villa garden.   8vo (22.3 x 14 cm); (iv) + 271 pp. with 100 text illustrations printed in color + 16 color plates.            Bound in full polished calf, signed "Flammarion Valliant," with decorative gilt spine and covers; gilt inner dentelles and silk end sheets, t.e.g.; original wrappers and original 4 page publisher's prospectus bound in; two original drawings by Bac also bound in. Spine and outer joints lightly scuffed. $650.00

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