Paris, Bureaux de la Société générale de librairie, 1855.
Large 8vo [206 x 124 mm] of xxii pp., 614 pp., (1) p.
Bound in full contemporary red morocco, large framing of six gilt fillets around the covers, spine ribbed and decorated with the same framing of gilt fillets inside the spine panels, large inner gilt border, gilt over untrimmed edges. Slipcase. Contemporary binding signed Cuzin.
First illustrated edition of the Contes drolatiques and first issue of the 425 illustrations by Gustave Dore, wood engraved, considered as the artist’s masterpiece.
Carteret, III, pp. 48-53; Bulletin de la Librairie Morgand et Fatout, II, 6445; Berny, Livres anciens, romantiques et modernes, III, 92; Rahir, VI, 1875.
Precious copy, one of 25 privately printed on China paper.
“A few copies have been printed on China paper, probably 25, not issued for sale, that are of a great rarity” (Carteret).
This work, considered as Gustave Dore’s masterpiece, is appreciated for the quality of its diverse and abundant illustration: 425 compositions, vignettes and large woodcuts. A multitude of engravers contributed to the implementation of Mr. Dore’s illustrations.
« M. Henri Beraldi a écrit que… tout ce qui est amateur de livres a une dévotion spéciale aux contes drolatiques et que de tous les ouvrages de Doré,
‘S’il n’en reste qu’un seul, ce sera celui-là ! ‘»
A spectacularly beautiful illustration magnified by the China paper.
“The proofs are very beautiful thanks to the quality of the China paper, in love with the printing; the high prices reached by these rare copies justify their quality of large paper and first issue” Carteret.
Superb wide-margined copy, with some untrimmed pages, preserved in its elegant signed contemporary binding.
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