Famed and highly influential French poet (1844–1896). Though he produced such lasting classics as Poèmes saturniens and Romances sans paroles, he is probably better known for his tumultuous love affair with the prodigiously gifted teenaged poet Arthur Rimbaud. Verlaine abandoned his wife and child in pursuit of Rimbaud, but the stormy, up-and-down relationship ended shortly after Rimbaud shot the older poet in the hand. Verlaine later underwent a religious conversion and, though well regarded even in his lifetime, died in poverty an alcoholic. Signed book: Mes Hopitaux. First edition, first printing. Paris: Léon Vanier, Libraire-Éditeur, 1891. Softcover, 5.25 x 7.5, 74 pages. Signed and inscribed on the half-title page, in French, (translated): “To Mr. and Mrs. Criollet, their friend P. Verlaine.” Uniform toning to signed page, and all other pages, scattered light soiling to covers, and a tape repair to front hinge of a complete separation of front cover, otherwise very good condition. RRAuction COA.
