Planches de la Ceramique japonaise
FIRMIN-DIDOT. Planches de la Ceramique Japonaise. [A collection of 41 chromolithographic plates on Japanese art]. Elephant folio, 515 x 415 mm., 110 mm. thick, full morocco boards with lacquered decoration and ornamented turn-ins, yellow silk doublures. Paris: Firmin-Didot et. Cie, [1895].
A unique, spectacular and massive example of French chromolithography at the end of the nineteenth century. These 41 plates were printed by Firmin-Didot as their entry in a competition arranged to celebrate the centenary of lithography. The plates were based on those in the 1880 edition of La Ceramique Japonaise by Audsley and Bowes, which was a modest 4to volume.
Firmin-Didot was rewarded with a diploma of honour in recognition of the quality of the work. In addition to being an example of the incredible level of perfection achieved by French chromolithography, the collection is a monument of Japonisme, not only due to the subject matter, but also to the superb Japoniste binding, created by Rene Pouguetoux.
The volume contains a hand-written presentation to Andre Lebon, the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
Scattered foxing to the plates, a few preliminary pages have been repaired with adhesive tape.
Exposition internationale du centenaire de la lithographie. Liste officielle des recompenses. Catalogue officiel de l'exposition. p.133
Item nr. 171727
Price:
$22,500.00