Books and Manuscripts

Paris: Henry Babou, 1928-33. In 25 volumes (including a duplicate of issue 20). First and limited edition, #3 of 650 sets on vellum paper (from a total edition of 700); issue 10, lettered II/L (from a total edition of 750). Complete set, comprising all 24 issues. Issue 10 inscribed by Henry Babou to French historian Jean-Louis Vaudoyer, and with an original sketch by George Barbier, and also inscribed by him to Vaudoyer; issue 15 with two prints signed by Siméon. Each issue profusely illustrated with plates (some in color), a portrait of the artist, a facsimile letter, and numerous in-text illustrations. Original stiff printed paper wrappers, each with original glassine, scattered wear and soiling; each in original printed paper-board portfolios, most ties intact (issues 9 and 10 ties perished, issue 22 ties partially-perished); scattered chipping and loss to spines, most boards browned along edges; duplicate copy of issue 20 without portfolio.

A lovely and complete collection of this magazine, with each issue devoted to an individual illustrator, and featuring portraits of the artist, facsimile letters, bibliographies, and examples of their work. The artists represented include Carlègle, Charles Martin, Hémard, Laboureur, Hermann Paul, Brissaud, Méheut, Sauvage, Dignimont, Perrichon, Barbier, Lobel-Riche, Marty, Belot, Brouet, Siméon, Berthold-Mahn, Vertès, Louis Morin, Bonnard, Chimot, Legrand, Paul Jouve, and Touchet.