Cycling/ Jarry/ Laval/ Miran/ Trochon/ Cyclo/ Paris. Three p - Lot 115

Cycling/ Jarry/ Laval/ Miran/ Trochon/ Cyclo/ Paris. Three pieces of high curiosity, where velocipedics and belle époque literature merrily meet. For museum-goers, scholars, experienced and nostalgic cyclists and pataphysicians alike. From and about the great Alfred Jarry de Laval (1873-1907): a) With this "Cyclo-guide Miran illustré des environs de Paris (Ouest)" published in 1896 by Didot, we have "the guide of guides". It's certainly practical, like its Bertot or de Baroncelli counterparts, but it goes one step further in its advice and descriptions, and is intended for walkers, not travelers....Through 18 off-the-beaten-track itineraries (from 36 to 104km), illustrated by 180 photos, some with cyclists, it introduces us to 160 localities. This is what attracted an unusual cyclist of the time, Alfred Jarry himself. The writer even wrote two handwritten pages to complete the volume! Here, then, we offer the volume (already very rare, 184p, 21x14, bound, Prix Ville de Paris), and the modern 1987 booklet edition of these two flamboyant pages, unknown and unhoped-for in cycling literature; b) modern booklet of Jarry's two-page manuscript: "cyclo-guide Miran, illustré, orné d'un portrait inédit de l'auteur par Couturier" (Edition du Fourneau, coup de pédale 152 (20p, 20x5x13,5). Here we discover that velocipedity was neither a veneer nor a posture for Alfred. We knew it, but the confirmation is dazzling. He pedaled, knew Rueil and the suburbs, ventured out onto the cobblestones, talked about the illustrations in the volume, and the two organizations that were guiding early pedal adventurers like himself as best they could... And it's funny to see Alfred mention the UVF and the TCF....He was an enthusiast. And this double testimony of his love of cycling and a lovely volume he used to crank out, gives us the impression of rubbing shoulders with him. It's a jubilant and unfamiliar collection, which takes us from Chalet du cycle to Bagatelle à Médan. We learn that Zola's rue Nana has been traced in charcoal on the walls of the church. The final practical advice still applies; c) Rare illustrated letterhead...from "Cycles et Automobiles de marques, Jules TROCHON, machines à coudre, 12 quai Jehan-Fouquet, Laval"... (27x21) This is a handwritten estimate for the repair of two tire envelopes dated May 22, 1906. It is addressed to Dr. Herbert of Liffré. The collaborator, who signs for Monsieur Trochon, is very meticulous, and very commercial (for 140f the envelopes will be repaired to as-new condition, repeated twice)...Alfred disappeared a year later, without this velocipedic dispute between the meticulous velocist and the impecunious romantic really being settled. An exceptional set.