1artisanal
When in selfimposed quarantine, what's better than to hunt for books on the internet? I found three quartos by illustrator André Collot, by whom I only had one title (La Fontaine's Fables) before.
The first title I found was The Apocalypse. I had searched for an Apocalypse and ended up acquiring this one. To be noted is that it was printed in Paris at New Year 1942-1943, while heavy fighting was going on, not so very far away, at a place that was called Stalingrad.
The next title I acquired was an edition of Marco Polo, published in 1951 and 1953:
And the final book, Ovid's Metamorphoses. A jewel, printed on handmade Richard de Bas paper in 1953:
The first title I found was The Apocalypse. I had searched for an Apocalypse and ended up acquiring this one. To be noted is that it was printed in Paris at New Year 1942-1943, while heavy fighting was going on, not so very far away, at a place that was called Stalingrad.
The next title I acquired was an edition of Marco Polo, published in 1951 and 1953:
And the final book, Ovid's Metamorphoses. A jewel, printed on handmade Richard de Bas paper in 1953:
2SebRinelli
Les Metamorphoses is a jewel indeed! Enabled.
4ultrarightist
Gorgeous, and the Ovid is indeed a jewel. Am I correct in assuming that none of these editions had an English sub-edition or counterpart?
Also, I notice on the Pollo and Apocalypse editions, there is some text within the border impression of the wood block. I'm guessing that the illustration was printed from the block first, and then the text from the matrix. I don't recall seeing that particular design detail in any English language fine press books.
Also, I notice on the Pollo and Apocalypse editions, there is some text within the border impression of the wood block. I'm guessing that the illustration was printed from the block first, and then the text from the matrix. I don't recall seeing that particular design detail in any English language fine press books.
5grifgon
Stunning! Good examples of some of the best of French book design. I saw one of these at an exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay last summer. Thank you for sharing.
6dlphcoracl
>1 artisanal:
Add my 'Thank you!' for posting these exceptional books. Not being fluent in French, I was unfamiliar with the work of André Collot but these are stunning book illustrations. I am sorely tempted to acquire the edition of Ovid's Metamorphoses anyway because it is printed on the other-worldly Richard de Bas hand made paper. Aside from the Allen Press, this extraordinary paper is rarely found in any English language private press books. Collot's artistry in the edition of 'The Apocalypse' is a very close second to the Ovid - marvelous work!
Add my 'Thank you!' for posting these exceptional books. Not being fluent in French, I was unfamiliar with the work of André Collot but these are stunning book illustrations. I am sorely tempted to acquire the edition of Ovid's Metamorphoses anyway because it is printed on the other-worldly Richard de Bas hand made paper. Aside from the Allen Press, this extraordinary paper is rarely found in any English language private press books. Collot's artistry in the edition of 'The Apocalypse' is a very close second to the Ovid - marvelous work!
7dlphcoracl
>1 artisanal:
On second thought.........
Consider me "enabled". I could not resist purchasing this extraordinary edition of 'Les Metamorphoses d' Ovide' from a fine bookseller (Valier Illustrated Books in Seix, France) in a full tan morocco binding by Menidrey. I almost never purchase books I cannot read but I will read this one with an English language edition alongside me.
On second thought.........
Consider me "enabled". I could not resist purchasing this extraordinary edition of 'Les Metamorphoses d' Ovide' from a fine bookseller (Valier Illustrated Books in Seix, France) in a full tan morocco binding by Menidrey. I almost never purchase books I cannot read but I will read this one with an English language edition alongside me.
