French translation of Irving's early work of historical fiction, A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (1828), owned by Paul Cézanne and with his signature on the front end paper. Translated by Henri Lebrun. 12mo. 288 pp. Five engraved plates. Ornate gold and blue decorative binding, enclosed in a newer archival box in blue cloth with leather labels on the spine. Original binding rubbed, damage to the boards, and two large stains to the binding and lower edge of the block; one loose page; foxing throughout; otherwise structurally sound and in good condition. 

As a young man, Cézanne had a great affinity for literature, winning several prizes and often writing letters in verse to Zola and to his classmates. He remained enamored of literature and poetry for his whole life, famously identifying himself with Frenhofer in Balzac's Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu: "Frenhofer, c'est moi!" He also encouraged young writers such as Joachim Gasquet, Léo Larguier, and Germain Nouveau.